Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)

What Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) does

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) is the South Korean government research institute responsible for the nation's polar science program, operating under the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) system with headquarters in Incheon. Founded with the establishment of King Sejong Station in 1988, KOPRI operates four major polar research infrastructure assets: Antarctic King Sejong Station (King George Island, 1988), Antarctic Jang Bogo Station (Terra Nova Bay, Victoria Land, 2014), Arctic Dasan Station (Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, 2010), and IBRV Araon, Korea's only icebreaking research vessel (111m, 7,507 gross tons, operational since 2007, capable of 70-day autonomous operation and carrying up to 85 personnel). The institute sustains year-round Antarctic presence through continuous overwintering party deployments (39th at King Sejong and 13th at Jang Bogo as of 2025-2026) and operates within the Antarctic Treaty System alongside 7 co-located international stations.

KOPRI runs a portfolio of data platforms and research services: the Korea Polar Data Center (KPDC) provides live station weather and CCTV feeds plus open-access scientific datasets; the KOPRI Repository archives over 3,200 published research articles since 1990 across climate change, earth-system, ocean, and polar life sciences; and supporting programs include the Polar Virtual Herbarium (KVH, ~3,700 specimens), AntaGen (Antarctic genetic resource database), Polar AMC (atmospheric monitoring), KOREAMET (Korean polar meteorology), and KAOS (Korea Antarctic Observation System). Infrastructure is opened to external domestic and international researchers through the Polar Research Infrastructure Sharing System, and the institute pursues formal scientific cooperation via MOUs with partners such as Seoul National University, Denmark Meteorological Agency, and stations operated by Italy, Germany, the US, New Zealand, China, Russia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Poland.

As a non-commercial 공공기관 (public institution), KOPRI does not operate a revenue model; its activities are funded primarily through Korean government budget allocations, including from the Ministry of Science and ICT, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The institute's customer base is effectively the Korean state plus domestic and international scientific research programs, with distribution via formal application processes, national research programs, and government-to-government scientific cooperation agreements (including co-funding and joint expedition arrangements with international Antarctic Treaty members). Marketing channels consist of public outreach (multilingual website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Naver Blog/TV/Post), press releases, educational and VR station experiences, the annual Polar Big Data-AI Competition, and Arctic/Antarctic Research Experience Teams for student recruitment.

Name

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)

Legal name

Korea Polar Research Institute

Website

https://kopri.re.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) is the South Korean government institute operating Antarctic stations (King Sejong, Jang Bogo), Arctic station (Dasan), and the icebreaker Araon, conducting national polar scientific research and serving Korean and international scientific communities through its stations, vessel, and open data platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Polar Scientific Research

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK), Audit-Ready Controls, Assurance & Compliance Workflow Tools (CSRD/SEC/ISSB) (EUABAEAG)

Keywords

• Polar scientific research
• Antarctic research stations
• Arctic research stations
• Icebreaking research vessel
• Climate change monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Incheon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KOPRI conducts and supports polar scientific research by operating year-round Antarctic stations (King Sejong, Jang Bogo), an Arctic station (Dasan), and the icebreaking research vessel Araon. It provides research infrastructure access to domestic and international scientists through formal sharing programs, manages polar scientific data through the Korea Polar Data Center (KPDC) and KOPRI Repository, and contributes to climate change, oceanographic, atmospheric, geological, and biological research in polar regions.

Product overview

KOPRI operates a unified portfolio of polar research infrastructure and data management systems. Core offerings include three major research stations (King Sejong Station in Antarctica, Jang Bogo Station in Antarctica, and Dasan Station in the Arctic), the IBRV Araon icebreaking research vessel, and integrated data platforms (KPDC, KOPRI Repository, KVH). Supporting services include the igloo Library, specialized data programs (PAMC, KOREAMET, AntaGen, KAOS), and virtual reality station experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARAON: Korea's only icebreaking research vessel operated by KOPRI for polar research expeditions
• Korea Polar Data Center (KPDC)
• igloo Library

Products and services

• King Sejong Station South Korea's first Antarctic research base located on King George Island, operational since 1988, conducting climate, ocean, and environmental research with year-round habitation, dedicated research laboratories, satellite communications, power generation, and desalination facilities. Co-located with 7 other national Antarctic stations from Argentina, Russia, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Poland, and China.
• Jang Bogo Station South Korea's second Antarctic research station located in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea region, operational since 2014. Located near Italian Mario Zucchelli Station (~10km), German Gondwana Camp (~1km), and within reach of US McMurdo Station and New Zealand Scott Base. Operates as a year-round base with research laboratories, satellite communications, and remote observation equipment.
• Dasan Station Korea's first and the world's 12th Arctic scientific research station, located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. Operates as a summer-season station with dry lab, wet lab, and shared international research infrastructure managed by Kings Bay AS, with access to the Zeppelin Observatory atmospheric research facility and INRiM calibration laboratory.
• IBRV Araon (Icebreaking Research Vessel Araon) Korea's only icebreaking research vessel, 111m in length with 7,507 gross tons, capable of carrying 85 personnel (25 crew + 60 researchers). Features Azimuth thrusters 5,000 KW × 2, dynamic positioning system (DPS2 class), and a full suite of scientific instruments including ADCP, multi-beam echo sounder, CTD, LIDAR, and marine gravity meter. Supports up to 70 days of continuous operation without resupply across Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
• Korea Polar Data Center (KPDC) A data management platform providing open access to polar research data, live weather and CCTV feeds from all stations and the Araon vessel, and a repository of research datasets spanning climate change sciences, earth-system sciences, ocean environment sciences, and life sciences.
• KOPRI Repository A digital repository system that archives and provides open access to KOPRI's research publications, articles, and scientific documents spanning polar sciences research from 1990 to present, with over 3,200 research articles available.
• KVH (KOPRI Virtual Herbarium) Digital herbarium platform providing access to approximately 3,700 polar plant specimens with specimen images, distribution data, and DNA sequence information.
• PAMC (Polar AMC) Atmospheric monitoring program tracking atmospheric conditions and composition at polar regions.
• AntaGen Antarctic genetic resource database and research program cataloguing Antarctic biological specimens and genetic data.
• KOREAMET Korean meteorological data program providing polar region meteorological observations and datasets.
• KAOS (Korea Antarctic Observation System) Continuous monitoring system for the Antarctic environment, providing real-time and archived observation data from Korean Antarctic research stations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,200 research articles published and archived in KOPRI Repository, demonstrating sustained research output across polar science disciplines
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Seoul National University Science Data Innovation Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025KOPRI's Ocean-Atmosphere Research Division and Remote Sensing Ice-Permafrost Information Center signed an MOU with Seoul National University Science Data Innovation Research Institute and the Denmark Meteorological Agency National Climate Research Center to strengthen cooperation on polar climate change research, including joint data analysis and research collaboration.
• Denmark Meteorological Agency (DMI) National Climate Research CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Joint MOU with KOPRI and Seoul National University for polar climate change research cooperation, including data sharing, joint research activities, and climate monitoring collaboration between Korea and Denmark in polar regions.
• Kings Bay AS (Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKings Bay AS operates the Ny-Ålesund research village in Svalbard where KOPRI's Dasan Arctic Station is located. Kings Bay provides airport operations (Lufttransport), facility reservations (Marine Lab, boats, equipment), accommodation, and logistical support for all visiting researchers. KOPRI pays usage fees for facilities and arranges transport through King's Bay's systems (RIS, Lufttransport).
• Lufttransport (Norwegian Air Transport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLufttransport operates the fixed-wing aircraft connecting mainland Norway (Tromsø via Longyearbyen) to Ny-Ålesund for all researchers and personnel accessing the Dasan Arctic Station. KOPRI researchers must book flights through Lufttransport's system and pay associated transport fees as part of the station access arrangement.
• Research in Svalbard (RIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationRIS is the mandatory online registration and reservation system for all research activities at Ny-Ålesund. KOPRI researchers must register their research projects through RIS, reserve Arctic station facilities (Marine Lab, boats, equipment), and book accommodation. No facility usage is permitted without a prior RIS reservation.
• Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIOST is listed as a family/affiliated organization of KOPRI on the main website footer, indicating a close institutional relationship as sister government research institutes in marine and polar science domains.
• Korea Polar Portal ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorea Polar Portal Service (koreapolarportal.or.kr) is linked as a family site and provides a consolidated polar information service to the public, operated in coordination with KOPRI's research outputs.
• United States Antarctic Program (McMurdo Station)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcMurdo Station, established 1955, is the largest US Antarctic research base and a nearby station to KOPRI's Jang Bogo Station in the Ross Sea region. Both operate within the international Antarctic Treaty System framework for scientific cooperation.
• Italy - Mario Zucchelli StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMario Zucchelli Station, established 1986 and operated as a summer research base, is located approximately 10km southwest of KOPRI's Jang Bogo Station in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. Italy and Korea conduct coordinated scientific activities in the shared region.
• Germany - Gondwana CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGondwana Camp, operated by Germany since 1983 as a biennial summer camp, is located approximately 1km from KOPRI's Jang Bogo Station at Cape Evans, Antarctica. Supports German polar research activities in the Ross Sea region.
• New Zealand - Scott BaseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScott Base, established 1957 by New Zealand, is another international research facility in the Ross Sea region near KOPRI's Jang Bogo Station. New Zealand and Korea coordinate on Antarctic scientific activities.
• Argentina - Carlini StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarlini Station (formerly Jubany), established 1953, is located on the same King George Island as KOPRI's King Sejong Station. It operates as a year-round base with 10+ winter personnel and 80-90 summer personnel, hosting research in multiple disciplines.
• Russia - Bellingshausen StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBellingshausen Station, established 1968 on Fildes Peninsula near King Sejong Station, is Russia's Antarctic base in the South Shetland Islands. Equipped with 6 large fuel tanks and heavy vehicles, supporting year-round Russian polar operations.
• Chile - Frei/Escudero StationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChile's Frei Station (King George Island, 1969) features an airfield capable of C-130 transport aircraft operations and serves as the gateway to the island for all visiting nations. Escudero Station operates as a summer science station. Both are co-located with KOPRI's King Sejong Station.
• China - Great Wall StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChina's Great Wall Station, established 1985 on Fildes Peninsula adjacent to KOPRI's King Sejong Station, focuses on marine research, remote sensing, biological ecology, meteorology, and geomagnetic studies. China conducts biennial supply missions with a permanent wintering team of approximately 13 members.
• Poland - Arctowski StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArctowski Station, established 1977 at Admiralty Bay near King Sejong Station, is known for its beautifully timber-interior facilities and greenhouse. Poland conducts marine and biological research in the region.
• Brazil - Ferraz StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil's Ferraz Station, established 1984 adjacent to a former British base, is one of the most active South American Antarctic research programs. The station was rebuilt following a 2012 fire and continues to operate as a joint military-scientific facility near King Sejong Station.
• Uruguay - Artigas StationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtigas Station, established 1984 by Uruguay on King George Island, maintains regular helicopter operations and coordinate airlift support with Chile's Frei Station. It provides scientific cooperation opportunities with neighboring bases including KOPRI's King Sejong Station.
• Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) / Zeppelin ObservatoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Zeppelin Observatory at 472m altitude near Ny-Ålesund is a key atmospheric research facility operated by Norwegian institutes. KOPRI researchers at Dasan Station benefit from collaborative atmospheric monitoring data from this facility.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt7XreiX39e0c44tBpLoNbA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KOPRI.re.kr
• Instagraminstagram.com/korea_polar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/korea-polar-research-institute-kopri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)