The Republic of Korea’s Foreign Policy in the Arctic Region: Prospects for the Northern Sea Route

Abstract

The article analyzes changes in the foreign policy of the Republic of Korea regarding the Arctic, namely the factors and reasons prompting Seoul to consider the Northern Sea Route as the main logistics route for the supply of goods, as well as the benefits of strengthening cooperation with the Russian Federation in this area. The main factors increasing the importance of the Northern Sea Route for the Republic of Korea embrace the dependence of the Korean economy on foreign trade, the geopolitical situation (difficulties in relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the aggravation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the situation in the Middle East as a whole), the need to reduce delivery period and other transaction costs, and the rise in the cost of deliveries along traditional routes. The author assesses the impact of Western anti-Russian sanctions on the implementation of projects in the Arctic, including the construction of icebreakers, the development of routes, etc. The article also compares the interests of Russia, the Republic of Korea and other Arctic states in the development of the Northern Sea Route, which is mutually beneficial.