Dr. Sung Ho Kang, First Korean Scientist Awarded Norwegian Order: "The Core of Polar Research Is Connection and Trust" [Interview]

Recognized for Over 30 Years of Contributions to Polar Research
Korea-Norway at the Forefront of "Science Diplomacy"
Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind: "Korea Is an Important and Innovative Arctic Partner"
The Arctic Becomes a Battleground for Major Powers—U.S., China, and Russia
Dr. Sung Ho Kang: "Even in Difficult Political Times, We Must Cooperate Through Science"

"Polar science is not simply a field that studies the Arctic and Antarctic. It is a discipline that connects people, builds trust between nations, and considers what kind of Earth we will pass on to the next generation."

Dr. Sung Ho Kang (64, former director of the Korea Polar Research Institute, pictured on the right), who has devoted more than 30 years to polar research, emphasized "trust" as the core value of polar science. Recently, he received a royal order from the Norwegian monarchy, one of the founding members of the Arctic Council. He is the first Korean scientist to be honored with this award. The polar regions are often described as the "last frontier" untouched by human intellect, and it is notable that a researcher from a non-Arctic country has had such achievements recognized. For the South Korean government, which has devoted significant effort to "science diplomacy" as an observer in the Arctic Council and worked towards cooperation opportunities such as Arctic routes, this is a welcome development.

Anne Kari Hansen Ovind, the Norwegian Ambassador (left), and Seongho Kang, former Director of the Polar Research Institute and the first Korean scientist to receive the Royal Norwegian Order, are taking a commemorative photo before an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

"The Norwegian Order Is More Than a Personal Achievement—It Symbolizes Over 30 Years of Trust and Friendship Between Korean and Norwegian Scientists"

Dr. Kang and Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind reflected on decades of Korea-Norway scientific cooperation during an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the Norwegian Ambassador's Residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on August 12. Dr. Kang stated, "This order is not just a personal accomplishment, but an evaluation of the trust, friendship, and scientific cooperation that countless scientists and institutions from Korea and Norway have built over the past 30 years," adding, "It also symbolizes the continued development of polar cooperation between our two countries." In 1993, when the concept of "the polar regions" was virtually unknown in Korea, Dr. Kang joined the Polar Research Center at the Ocean Research Institute (the predecessor of the Korea Polar Research Institute) and played a leading role in advancing polar science in South Korea. In 2004, the research center was established as an independent entity—the Korea Polar Research Institute—and Dr. Kang served as its seventh director from 2020 to 2023.

Ambassador Ovind expressed, "It is a great honor to present this order on behalf of the Norwegian government." She congratulated Dr. Kang not only on his outstanding research achievements, but also acknowledged the long-standing friendship and strong ties he fostered by leading KOPRI and promoting joint Korea-Norway research initiatives.

From the perspective of Korea, Norway is located on the opposite end of the vast Eurasian continent. While the two countries are geographically distant, they have established a close relationship through "Arctic research." Ambassador Ovind commented, "Arctic science cooperation is one of the main pillars of diplomacy between Norway and South Korea," noting, "Thanks to the Korea Polar Research Institute's team operating in the Svalbard research base for over 20 years, Korea was able to gain observer status in the Arctic Council in 2013." She added, "Knowledge and science are important on their own, but if they are not shared with people, their value diminishes. I want to especially highlight Dr. Kang's efforts to convey various stories about the Arctic to the Korean public." Every year, the Norwegian government hosts the world's largest international event related to the Arctic, "Arctic Frontiers," in Tromsø, the northernmost city. With growing interest in the Arctic within Korea, participation has been expanding beyond government and researchers to include more businesses as well.

Anne Kari Hansen Ovin, Ambassador of Norway (left), and Seongho Kang, former Director of the Korea Polar Research Institute (Ph.D.), are having an interview with The Asia Business Daily at the Norwegian Ambassador's Residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Arctic Ocean Now "The World's Hottest Sea" Amid Great Power Competition... "Scientific Cooperation Must Continue Even in Political Hard Times"

Once considered relatively free from political dispute and referred to as the "sea of peace," the Arctic Ocean is no longer immune to the power struggles of major countries. As the United States, China, and other powers have begun to recognize the economic value of the Arctic route, the region has, paradoxically, become the "hottest sea on Earth." This escalation has intensified particularly since 2021, when Russia—one of the eight key members of the Arctic Council and the country with the largest share of the Arctic coast—began its war in Ukraine. As a result, polar research, which fundamentally relies on continuous data accumulation, has suffered as collaboration between Russia and other European countries was abruptly cut off from 2021.

In response to related questions, Ambassador Ovind stressed, "For Norway, it is important that all eight Arctic Council member states take principal responsibility to work closely with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic." She added, "Given the current situation, it is not feasible to promote normal cooperation with Russia, but it is clear that both member countries and indigenous peoples share responsibility for addressing common Arctic challenges." She further noted, "Norway is currently chairing the Arctic Council and supports the Kingdom of Denmark, which governs Greenland. It is essential to find ways to maintain and develop the Arctic Council." Acknowledging the realities of today's international environment, she emphasized that, ultimately, the Arctic Council—including Russia—should function as a core multilateral forum. She continued, "We will also cooperate with observer countries that offer diverse perspectives to the Council," and highlighted, "South Korea is an important partner with innovative capabilities in several areas, including new technologies, eco-friendly shipping, and decarbonization."

The challenges facing the Arctic are a deep concern for scientists as well. Dr. Kang commented, "Polar research is characterized by the fact that no single nation can solve these problems alone. Issues such as climate change, sea ice loss, and marine ecosystem changes in the Arctic and Antarctic transcend national borders, so it is meaningful only when long-term observation data are collectively accumulated by multiple countries." While the need for collaboration is now more urgent than ever, he expressed regret that political circumstances have made joint research more difficult. Still, he stressed, "Even in difficult political times, scientists have tried to maintain continuity in data and research wherever possible and have continued to cooperate with one another. Science, in fact, is an exceptionally important diplomatic channel for building trust and resolving conflicts. That is precisely the key value of polar science and scientific diplomacy."

Dr. Seongho Kang, former director of the Korea Polar Research Institute, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the Embassy of Norway Ambassador's Residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

"Polar Science" Draws Next-Generation Researchers' Attention... "Research With the World"

Polar research is an issue that spans generations. With growing interest in the Arctic sea route, next-generation researchers are increasingly drawn to the field. When asked what advice he has for aspiring polar scientists, Dr. Kang replied, "No matter how advanced artificial intelligence (AI), satellites, and other cutting-edge technologies become, sound science begins with accurate observation and good data. Whenever possible, experience the Arctic and Antarctic firsthand." He also said, "Polar science has always been 'international science.' It is extremely important to have the ability to respect researchers with different backgrounds and to 'research together with the world.'"

"What I have learned after so many years in the polar regions is ultimately simple. Polar science is about people, cooperation, and responsibility," Dr. Kang concluded. "I hope that the next generation of Korean researchers will become not only good scientists but also good collaborators who connect the world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.