Recommendation 165

We heard from Dr Aki Tonami, Associate Professor at the University of Tsukuba, that Japan is eager to build up its involvement in Arctic research to replicate the success of science diplomacy in the Antarctic. 187 Like the UK, the Korean government is eager to maintain the Arctic as an area of low tension and high co-operation. 188 Dr Hyoung Chul Shin, Vice President of the Korea Polar Research Institute, told us that the major objectives of Korea’s polar activity plan included improving the mapping of the Arctic, joining international scientific efforts, environmental protection, and participating in sustainable economic development. 189