The Polar Expedition

A daunting challenge has been accepted. At long last, the history of human exploration will be written anew. A North Pole expedition headed by Captain Park Young-seok entered a long march at 10:30 A.M. on March 8 (1:30 A.M. on March 9 in Korean time) from Canada’s northern extremity at Ward Hunt, situated 83 degrees 3 minutes 090 seconds North by 74 degrees 6 minutes 431 seconds West .

The squad will trek 2000km towards the North Pole during the course of 60 days, braving biting cold and daunting winds. They vowed that the smallest chance of success would be enough to push them forward.

From left, expedition members Hong Sung-taek, Oh Hee-jun, Jeong Chan-il, and Captain Park Young-seok, lined up in front of the plane that landed them at Ward Hunt, shortly before their departure.

Chang Jeon jeon@donga.com