[Exclusive] Grimsson, Arctic Circle Chairman: "Growth Difficult Without Arctic... Korea Is an Important Partner"

[The Arctic, the New Route to Hegemony]②
Interview with Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle
"Korea Is the Most Exemplary Among Arctic Observers"
Communication and Cooperation Benefit Everyone

"The world is realizing that it will be difficult to sustain economic growth without the Arctic's mineral and energy resources."

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland and Chairman of the Arctic Circle Assembly, explained the reason why major countries around the world are actively participating in the Arctic Circle during an interview with The Asia Business Daily on October 15 (local time). The Arctic Circle Assembly is the largest international forum on Arctic issues, held annually in Reykjavik, Iceland since 2013. It serves as a platform for broad discussions on Arctic issues, including climate change, scientific and technological research, and sustainable development. This year, more than 2,000 participants from 70 countries gathered for the Arctic Circle Assembly, held from October 16 to 18.

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, former President of Iceland (Chairman of the Arctic Circle), is giving an interview to Asia Economy on the 15th (local time) in the conference room of Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. Photo by Son Sunhee

Chairman Grimsson described Korea as an "important partner" in polar research. He introduces Korea as the most exemplary among the Arctic Council observers to people from other countries.

Chairman Grimsson, who has a special affection for Korea, served as President of Iceland for 20 years starting in 1996 and visited Korea in 2015. His visit to Korea at that time accelerated Arctic-related exchanges and cooperation between Korea and Iceland, which continue to this day. Now in his twelfth year of directly organizing the Arctic Circle Assembly, Grimsson, despite being over eighty years old, showed his passion by personally presiding over meetings up until the day before the Assembly began.

The following is a Q&A with Chairman Grimsson.

-What has been the driving force behind the Arctic Circle Assembly's growth into a global community for over a decade?

▲When we first established the Arctic Circle in 2013, there was very little awareness of the importance of the glacier-covered region. However, there has been a growing realization that the future of every continent-Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe-depends on changes in this region. Without understanding changes in the glacier regions, it is difficult to comprehend the future of the planet. I believe that meeting, communicating, and voluntarily cooperating and taking action-rather than forcing cooperation-benefits everyone. Even in a time of heightened geopolitical tensions around the world, the momentum of the Arctic Circle continues to grow.

-As major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia show increasing interest in the Arctic, geopolitical tensions are also rising. What is your view?

▲It is difficult to predict what things will look like in 10 to 20 years, but it is clear that there are significant changes underway in the energy structure. Major countries around the world are realizing that it will be difficult to sustain economic growth in the latter half of the 21st century without the mineral and energy resources of the Arctic, Greenland, and Russian regions. Major Asian countries such as India, Korea, and Japan will also find it difficult to continue economic growth and technological development without access to the Arctic's energy and mineral resources.

-Currently, Russia, a key Arctic nation, has withdrawn from multilateral cooperation platforms since going to war with Ukraine in 2021.

▲That is correct. However, in my experience, even two to three years before the war began, Russia had already shown less willingness to participate in discussions with other countries about the future of the Arctic. While they participated in meetings held within Russia, they did not attend those held abroad. Even before the war, Russia had begun to redefine its own Arctic policy. One piece of evidence is that a year before President Vladimir Putin started the war, Russia transferred Arctic affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic. This was an administrative signal that Russia intended to focus its Arctic policy more on relations with Asia rather than cooperation with the West.

Chairman Grimsson (right) is having a discussion with Kristrun Frostadottir, Prime Minister of Iceland, at the Arctic Circle Assembly on the 16th (local time). Arctic Circle

-The Arctic Circle Assembly includes not only Arctic nations but also non-Arctic countries. What is the significance of Korea's participation?

▲In Europe and the United States, people are curious about why China is interested in the Arctic. In Western media, there is sometimes wariness about China's Arctic activities. My answer is always, "Let's start by talking about Korea."

Korea, centered on the Korea Polar Research Institute, has more than 200 skilled scientists and a new research vessel. It is actively involved in global cooperation in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Why, then, is Korea so invested in researching the future of glacier regions? If just one quarter of Greenland's glaciers melt, global sea levels will rise by two meters, which would have a significant impact on Korea's coastal areas.

Ultimately, Korea's future depends on changes in the polar glaciers. Therefore, it is important to build scientific capabilities to provide early warnings of future risks, and Korea is doing this very well. Korea is recognized as an important partner in global polar research efforts. Korea is making significant contributions to glacier research and is the only country with a 30-year long-term polar science plan. I encourage other countries to follow Korea's example. As an Asian maritime nation, Korea is a very interesting case that can play a major role in polar research and global cooperation.

-There is growing interest in the "Arctic sea route" in Korea. How would you evaluate Korea's Arctic cooperation?

▲Korea is not only a shipbuilding powerhouse but also an important country in global shipping and vessel operations. If the Arctic glaciers continue to melt and the Arctic sea route increasingly replaces southern routes, Korea could play a key role in the development of global shipping. However, it is difficult to predict how the three Arctic routes will actually be utilized. While it is hard to make definitive statements about their potential, the possibilities are certainly there.

-What are your thoughts on the cooperative relationship between Korea and Iceland?

▲We have maintained a very interesting relationship for decades, and cooperation remains active today. Initially, the commercial relationship was linked to certain industries such as automobiles and technology, but over time, cooperation has expanded to various fields, including the Arctic, marine, and shipping sectors. Korea has always participated actively in the Arctic Circle Assembly. It is very impressive to see the Korean government and various scientific research institutions participating with increasing responsibility. When I explain Asia's Arctic cooperation to Europe and the United States, I always mention Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.