Comparison between New Northern Policyand Ice Silk RoadGUO Peiqing
Ocean University of China
18 October 2021
For the conference: Cross-border interregional cooperation in theAsia-Pacific Region as a driver for the development of the Russian
Far East and the Asian Arctic

Contents
一、The basis for cooperation between Korea's New
Northern Policy and Ice Silk Road.
二、The Competition between New Northern Policy
and Ice Silk Road.
三、Advice for Cooperation between New Northern
Policy and Ice Silk Road.

一、The basis for cooperation between Korea's New Northern
Policy and Ice Silk Road.

China and Republic of Korea are active participants of Arctic business.
South Korea released “New Northern Policy” in 2017 when China and Russia coinitiated “Ice Silk Road”. Both share some common following characteristics:
1. The same direction-both strategy pointing to North and Arctic●New Northern Policy aims to improve and promote the relationship with
“Northern countries” including Russia, China, Mongolia. Artic is taken as theimportant integral part of New Northern Policy (hereafter NNP). The
implementation of NNP are reflected as “Nine Bridges Strategy”, mainly focusing
on cooperation of nine fields ranging from Natural gas, railway, harbor, powerline,
Arctic shipping, shipbuilding, agriculture to aquaculture and industry zone building.
● Ice Silk Road (hereafter ISR) is still an unclear concept, which is regarded
starting from Northeast Asia marginal ocean, traversing Northern Sea Route, toNorth Atlantic.

Three channels connecting Eurasia
Northern Sea Route and Ice silk Road一、The basis for cooperation between Korea's New Northern
Policy and Ice Silk Road.

2. NNP and ISR, both of them have the same plan of Arctic development.
●New Northern Policy pays much attention on Arctic passage, Artic oil and gas
development, icebreaking LNG vessel. The NNP is the continuation of The Korean
Arctic Master Plan and Arctic Policy Action Plan declared by former administration.
Korea has been planning to construct Arctic harbor city like Busan. Arctic
development is been integrating into the national strategy of Korea. Commission for
Northern Economy Cooperation that is of high position, takes much responsibilityof Arctic participation.
● Ice Silk Road (hereafter ISR) is still an unclear concept, which is regarded
starting from Northeast Asia marginal ocean, traversing through Northern Sea Route,ending at North Atlantic. ISR will contribute to the Arctic development and shares
the same mission as NNP. China and Korea are two biggest driving forces and usersof commercial shopping of NSR.

一、The basis for cooperation between Korea's New Northern
Policy and Ice Silk Road.

3. NNP and ISR can contributes the Northeast Asia connection●NNP One of NNP missions is dedicated to the mitigation and development ofKorea Peninsula and promote Northeast Asia integration● ISR plays an important role in the logistics system of Northeast Asia, including
China, Korea, Japan and Russia.
●Russia is active to explore to join in the coming Northeast Asia integration.

一、The basis for cooperation between Korea's New NorthernPolicy and Ice Silk Road.

3. NNP and ISR merge at Northeast China, extending at Sakha (Yakutia)
South Korea: capital and technology
North Korea: abundant human resources
China: The heavy industry advantages and advanced
transportation network
Russia: rich resources and Northern Sea Route
Large potential economy association matching withASEAN.

二、The Competition between New Northern Policy and Ice SilkRoad.

1. The mutual trust between NNP and ISR
On the one hand, South Korea hopes to profit from cooperation with China, but on
the other hand, South Korea worries that China may control South Korea witheconomy leverage.
2. Geopolitics challenge
Unstable situation in Northeast Asia particularly Korea Peninsula affects seriously
the cooperation between NNP and ISR.
The biggest interfere force is USA. According Brzezinski’s Grand Chessboard,fragmentation of Euraisa continent is in the interest of US. Any initiative andmotivation of integration will face obstacle.
3. The security concern from Japan
Japan Sea (East Sea) including Soya strait and Tsugaru strait is the portal for either
NNP or ISR to ice shipping. Japan misinterpretting Chinese commercial and science
vessel shipping is another negative factor.

三、Advice for Cooperation between New Northern Policy and Ice
Silk Road.

1. Plan the corridor connecting South and North Korea, Northeast China, Russia Far
East including Lena River Valley and Northern Sea Route.
2. Introduce Russia into the trilateral coordination mechanism originated by China,Korea and Japan. Without the participation of China, Korea and Japan, it isunpractical of Russia Arctic development. Vice-versa, Russia is the same partner for
three countries.
3. To establish Northeast Asia Development Organization for Arctic, collaborating
advantages of different countries. Arctic Development Bank could be put on theagenda. The cutthroat competition on the hub port and oil-gas trade will be avoided.

Thanks for your attention!
Any comments are welcome!