Another Korean South Pole Research Station by 2013

The second Korean South Pole station will be established by 2013 in Antarctica. The government will lay the groundwork for a business that converts ocean water to drinking water from next year and will form a new market for the water, amounting to one trillion won by 2010.

Oh Keo-don, minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, reported a work plan for the year, including content, to the president at Cheong Wa Dae in an afternoon briefing on March 9.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is planning to set up a second South Pole station in order to extend the area of polar research and to make efficient use of resources at the South Pole.

Korea does not have a station in Antarctica aside from an existing South Pole station, known as King Sejong Station, located on King George Island, near the southern part of Chile.

The construction of the new station will start in 2008 and will be completed in 2013.

Eun-Woo Lee libra@donga.com