The Korea-Russia trade activation with the Arctic sea route cooperation

Abstract

The potential for development in the Arctic Circle is wide and it is fully predictable that the development
of resources in the region will accelerate further exploration of the Arctic sea route. Russia is
showing high interest in developing resources that are not in the economic sanction list. Moreover, the
exploration and utilization of the so-called Arctic sea route across the regional ocean is recently receiving
massive attention along with the climate change. Korea and Russia have expanded the economic
cooperation and now the two countries are looking for a new model of the work. They can share the
goals through the further development of Russian Arctic Circle with the rapid exploitation of resources
due to climate change and technological development. Korean companies have begun to bring the real
economic benefits, having positive effects on related industries such as the construction of transport and
special ships. There are many ways for realizing the goal, but we can specifically propose a Korea-Russia
FTA. In the process of pursuing it, the government should also consider various tasks, such as harmonizing
with the FTAs Korea has been signing, and dealing with the domestic law in accordance with the
new FTA, based on the previous experiences. From Russia’s point of view, special circumstances such
as the EAEU should be taken in consideration. The process of signing the FTA, which will serve as the
international legal basis for cooperation between the partners, should be clearly marked for the purpose
of ‘Sustainable Arctic Development’. Furthermore, these propositions should be able to be digested in
the process of utilizing FTAs and readjusting domestic and international regulations, as well as the joint
respond to the emergence of new industries, markets, and even unforeseen issues. In Korea’s perspective,
it should consider the possibility that the FTA could be used in non-economic areas such as on the
Korean Peninsula issue.
Key words: Korea, Russia, Arctic Circle, Arctic Sea Route, Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Eurasian
Economic Union (EAEU).