Antarctic Overwinter Party Goes to the End of the World, Antarctica

The launching ceremony of Overwinter Party was held at the Antarctic Research Station (King Sejong and Jang Bogo) on October 8

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and the Korea Polar Research Institute announced that the joint launching ceremony for the 38th Overwinter Party of the Antarctic King Sejong Station and the 12th Overwinter Party of the Antarctic Jang Bogo Station was held at the Korea Polar Research Institute on October 8.

 The Overwinter Party, consisting of 18 members each, will carry out Antarctic field research activities and base operation missions for about one year from November, when the Antarctic summer season begins, to December of next year.

 The Antarctic King Sejong Station was established in 1988 as Korea's first Antarctic research station on King George Island. It conducts research related to climate change and the operation of Antarctic special protection zones. The Antarctic Jangbogo Station, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, was built in Terra Nova Bay, North Victoria Land, East Antarctica, in 2014 and focuses on continent-based Antarctic research, including space, astronomy, glaciers, and meteorites. The Antarctic Overwinter Party will conduct research activities, including climate change, Antarctic ecosystem, atmosphere, and geosphere research.

 Before leaving for Antarctica, the Overwinter Party received the basic training on safety, first aid, and wireless communication skills to ensure they can survive safely in the harsh Antarctic environment and the basic education on living within a group setting in a confined space for a year.