The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Cho Seung Hwan) and the Korea Polar Research Institute (President Kang Sung-Ho) announced that four members of the Youth Arctic Research Experience Group, “21C Dasan Junior,” will depart for a six-day, eight-night Arctic research experience tour, starting July 30th (Sunday).

 This year’s Arctic Research Experience Group consists of three winners of the open selection process held by the Polar Research Institute and one grand prize winner of the 13th Youth Polar Essay Contest held last year. A total of 415 individuals applied for the open selection process, equivalent to a 138 to 1 competition ratio, where the winners were selected through document screening, a polar science quiz, and interview process.

 The Experience Group will be saying for three days and four nights at Korea’s Arctic Dasan Science Base located in the Svalbard archipelago of Norway to observe the glaciers and permafrost on Arctic land and sea that are melting due to recent climate changes. Moreover, they will also learn more about the Arctic ecosystem by collecting Arctic plants and conducting field research on bird colonies.

 A member of the experience group, Chun Won Young (Hyundai Chungun High School, Grade 3) said, “I would like to use this Arctic experience as a bridge between science and society and share what I see and hear at the Arctic with people around me.” She also expressed her ambition to “take this opportunity to become a leading scientist in the sustainable future arena.”