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Challenges to the Antarctic Treaty System in the Era of Climate Crisis and Hegemonic Competition: Korea's Role

기후 위기와 패권 경쟁 시대, 남극조약 체제에 대한 도전과 한국의 역할

Ji Hee Kim1*
,
Jeong-Hoon Kim1
,
Won-Sang Seo2
김 지희1*
,
김 정훈1
,
서 원상2
1Division of Lifesciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon 21990, Korea
2Department of Planning & Coordination, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon 21990, Korea
1한국해양과학기술원 부설 극지연구소 생명과학연구본부 (21990) 인천광역시 연수구 송도미래로 26
2한국해양과학기술원 부설 극지연구소 기획조정부 (21990) 인천광역시 연수구 송도미래로 26
*Corresponding Author
12 May 2025. pp. 1-14
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Abstract

The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has evolved over the past 60 years, beginning with the Antarctic Treaty itself, overcoming various internal and external challenges. However, since the Protocol on Environmental Protection came into effect, the adoption of binding environmental protection measures has been significantly delayed, raising concerns and distrust regarding the governance capacity of the ATS. Amid the global climate crisis, the delay in urgent environmental protection measures for safeguarding the Antarctic environment can be attributed to certain consultative parties exercising their veto power annually. This is rooted in the U.S.-China global rivalry extending to Antarctica, conflicts among consultative parties within the system, and different views held by countries like China and Russia on protection proposals by claimant states whose territorial claims were frozen under the Antarctic Treaty. These factors are destabilizing the foundations of the ATS, heightening fears that the treaty may disband due to external pressures and internal conflicts. In the Ross Sea, where the Republic of Korea's Jang Bogo Station, the United States' McMurdo Station, New Zealand's Scott Base, and Italy's Mario Zucchelli Station are already operational, China established its fifth Antarctic station earlier this year. This development has transformed the Ross Sea into a strategic geopolitical hotspot for competing global powers. With the global climate crisis and China's increasing presence intensifying the region, Korea, which has expanded its Antarctic activities, now faces a critical juncture to reflect on its strategic direction for Antarctic activities that serve both national interests and the advancement of the ATS.

Keywords
Antarctic governance
consensus decision-making
protection measure
Ross Sea
collaboration
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국해양과학기술원
  • Journal Title :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Volume : 47
  • Pages :1-14
  • Received Date : 2024-11-11
  • Revised Date : 2025-02-14
  • Accepted Date : 2025-03-19
  • Published Date : 2025-05-12
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.4217/OPR.2025006
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