South Korea to host Antarctic Treaty meeting for first time in 32 years

South Korea will host the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting for the first time in 32 years. The government plans to use the occasion — a gathering set for Incheon's Songdo district next year — to strengthen international cooperation in Antarctic research and environmental protection.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy said Monday they participated in the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 28th Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), held in Hiroshima, Japan, from May 11 to 21.

The ATCM is the supreme decision-making body for Antarctic policy and treaty implementation. Of the 58 countries party to the Antarctic Treaty, 29 hold consultative status with voting rights and participate in the meeting.

At the Hiroshima meeting, South Korea's delegation shared findings on permafrost changes near the Sejong Science Station and the accumulation of microplastics in Antarctica, presenting the country's environmental protection and scientific research work. The delegation also offered its views on designating the emperor penguin as a specially protected species and on expanding consultative party membership.

As the incoming chair, South Korea is set to host the 49th ATCM and the 29th CEP in Songdo, Incheon, from May 17 to 27, 2027.

It will be the first time South Korea has hosted the ATCM since 1995.

The government plans to build an inter-agency coordination framework involving the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy to prepare for the meeting.

South Korea joined the Antarctic Treaty in 1986 and attained consultative party status in 1989. It currently operates two research stations on the continent — the Sejong Science Station and the Jang Bogo Science Station.

The government said it will continue to participate in international efforts to promote the peaceful use of Antarctica, advance scientific research and protect the environment.