Groping the way: South Korea may launch regular flights on the NSR

The South Korean authorities expect to launch regular trade flights along the Northern Sea Route, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation, Lee Seok-pae, told Izvestia. The final decision will be made after studying the results of the pilot flight of the Korean container ship, which delivered goods to Europe in August and returns to Busan on October 12. The NSR is 35% shorter than the usual route through the Suez Canal, which will reduce travel time and fuel costs. It is also important to diversify routes in the context of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. At the same time, if Seoul decides to actively use the NSR, it risks facing pressure and sanctions from the United States, as well as the need for serious investments in the construction of high-ice-class vessels.

Why is South Korea interested in the NSR

Seoul has organized an experimental commercial flight to Europe via the Northern Sea Route and is now awaiting its completion. The ship set sail on August 22, and will arrive back at the port of Busan on October 12, after which a decision may be made to launch regular flights, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation, Lee Seok-pae, told Izvestia.

— This project is extremely important. Most likely, our relevant ministries and departments will conduct a full-fledged study based on the results of this pilot flight, and then we will consider the possibility of organizing regular flights in the medium and long term," he said.

Photo: TASS/YONHAP

According to him, South Korea is one of the five largest maritime powers in the world and has long shown interest in Arctic routes.

"This pilot flight along the Northern Sea Route is one of the most important state tasks of the current government of South Korea," Lee Seok-pae stressed.

The container ship delivered Korean chemical products, used cars and auto parts to Europe. The vessel passed through the Arctic Ocean, after which it entered the ports of Great Britain, the Netherlands and Poland. The return trip to Busan also took place along the Northern Sea Route. The Arctic route between Busan and Rotterdam is 35% shorter than the southern route through the Suez Canal. The experimental flight should prove the possibility of saving up to 10 days of time and reducing fuel consumption by almost 30%.

Ice passage: Russia will allow Western countries to use the Northern Sea Route

While China and India are planning to increase transportation, South Korea and the UAE are preparing to join.

Seoul's interest in the NSR increased after the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Alexander Zhebin, a leading researcher at the Center for Korean Studies at the ISSA RAS, explained to Izvestia. In particular, the regular Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have turned the route to the Suez Canal into a high-risk area and dramatically raised the cost of ship insurance. At the same time, Europe is one of Seoul's main trading partners. According to the European Commission, the trade turnover between the European Union and South Korea amounted to 124 billion euros by the end of 2025.

Lee Jae-myung, the elected 21st President of the Republic of Korea

Photo: RIA Novosti/Government of the Republic of Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung personally gave Arctic shipping the highest priority, calling the Northern Sea Route "a great hope for the future of Busan and a banner of the future." On the evening of September 5, the head of state even posted on his social networks a video taken on board the ship during its passage through the Russian Arctic, informed him of its location and spoke about the further route.

In Moscow, the accession of a new major player is viewed pragmatically. As the Russian Ambassador to South Korea, Georgy Zinoviev, told Izvestia, when the container ship used the Northern Sea Route, the necessary communication was maintained with the Russian side to ensure successful passage along this logistics route. The Russian Federation's position is unequivocal: the NSR is open to economic partnership, and safety on the route is guaranteed by the country's icebreaking fleet.

Will Seoul go on regular NSR flights

Today, China and India are already actively using the Northern Sea Route, with which they have managed to establish bilateral cooperation mechanisms, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Izvestia. Due to the difficult situation in the field of maritime cargo transportation, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, international interest in the Northern Sea Route is increasing as a safer, more environmentally friendly and economically profitable alternative to traditional southern routes. "The topic of the NSR and the TTK (Transarctic Transport Corridor. — Ed.) is also being discussed with other non—regional countries," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.

However, in order to establish a regular flow of flights along the NSR, South Korea will have to meet a number of challenges. Firstly, the United States can apply various forms of pressure against Seoul, Alexander Zhebin believes. For example, there is a practice when ships entering certain countries are banned from entering American ports for a year. At the same time, the South Korean authorities, in dialogue with the Americans, will justify their actions with a vital economic necessity.

Photo: TASS/YONHAP

Secondly, the problem of the entire route remains limited navigation due to ice. Most of the cargo is delivered during the favorable season from August to October, which is only a quarter of the year. For year-round transportation, Seoul needs to build ultra-expensive high-class ice vessels and train polar crews. In addition, carriers will depend on the services of the Russian nuclear icebreaking fleet, which is financially and legally risky under the conditions of US sanctions.

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The South Korean president made it clear that the negotiations are not over yet.

Therefore, it is still unclear whether the current flight will be the beginning of a long-term project or will remain a one-time action, said Konstantin Asmolov, a leading researcher at the Center for Korean Studies at the ISSA RAS. However, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has already moved its headquarters to Busan, cementing the city's status as a center of maritime policy. Seoul is also launching a special co-financing program to expand the Arctic fleet. Carriers will be able to receive up to 30% of funds from the Korean Ocean Business Corporation (a government-controlled development institute) on preferential terms for the purchase and construction of icebreakers and high-ice-class vessels capable of sailing under the JMA. It is planned to allocate 120 billion won (about $85 million) annually for these purposes.

According to Alexander Zhebin, the seriousness of Seoul's intentions It will be possible to judge only when South Korea starts investing heavily in infrastructure. The Northern Sea Route, and not just limited to its use. He predicts that in the future this country may indeed become a regular customer of the NSR. Maintaining current climatic trends can ensure year-round navigation. on the Northern Sea Route, Konstantin Asmolov believes. Such a scenario will radically transform the global freight transportation system..