북극 해빙의 변화와 북극항로 이용 전망

변상신^*

해군 중령/해군사관학교 해양학과 교수

Changes in Arctic Sea Ice and the Outlook for Arctic Shipping Routes

Sang-Shin Byun^*

CDR, ROK Navy/Professor, Dept. of Oceanography, Republic of Korea Naval Academy

Correspondence to: ^*Sang-Shin Byun Dept. of Oceanography, Republic of Korea Naval Academy 1 Jungwon-ro, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyungsangnam-do, 51704, Republic of Korea Tel: +82-55-907-5253 Fax: +82-55-907-5231 E-mail: ssbyun@navy.ac.kr

초록

본 연구는 1979년부터 현재까지 위성 관측 데이터를 활용하여 북극 해빙의 장기적인 변화를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 해빙은 지속적으로 감소하고 있으며 특히 북서항로보다 북동항로에서 감소 폭이 더욱 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 이러한 해빙 감소는 아시아-유럽 간 해상 운송 거리를 단축할 수 있는 북극항로의 개방 가능성을 높여 한국 정부 및 해군의 선제적 대비를 요구한다. 특히, 북극해 환경을 이해하고 해군 작전에 활용할 해양학 전문인력 양성은 국가 안보 및 국제적 영향력 강화에 매우 중요하다. 본 연구는 북극 해빙 변화를 분석하고, 다가오는 북극항로 시대에 대한민국 해군이 선도적인 역할을 수행하기 위한 방안으로 해양학 전문인력 확보의 중요성을 제언한다.

Abstract

This study analyzed the long-term trend of Arctic sea ice change using satellite observation data from 1979 to the present. The analysis confirmed that sea ice is continuously decreasing, with the reduction being particularly more pronounced in the Northeast Passage than in the Northwest Passage. This decrease in sea ice raises the possibility of opening the Arctic sea route, which can shorten the maritime transport distance between Asia and Europe, requiring proactive preparation by the Korean government and navy. Specifically, fostering professional oceanography personnel who can understand the Arctic's unique marine environment and apply it to naval operations is crucial for national security and strengthening international influence. This study analyzes the changes in Arctic sea ice and suggests the importance of securing oceanography professionals as a way for the ROK Navy to play a leading role in the coming Arctic era.

Keywords:

Arctic Sea Ice, Satellite Observation, Sea Ice Decrease, Arctic Sea Route, Oceanography Professionals

키워드:

북극 해빙, 위성 관측, 해빙 감소, 북극항로, 해양학 전문인력

Acknowledgments

본 논문은 2025년 해군사관학교 해양연구소 학술연구과제 연구비의 지원으로 수행된 연구임.

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