South Korean scientists gain access to survey ships

Nature : Since the 1970s, when the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology was founded, South Korea has used its ocean-going survey vessels primarily for the seabed mining of minerals and metals, such as manganese, iron, nickel, and cobalt. That economic focus has inhibited the country’s scientific community from using the ships for academic research. The situation is about to change, however, thanks in part to the efforts of marine geophysicist Sang-Mook Lee. Following Lee’s testimony before the national legislature last year, then minister Ju-Young Lee agreed to expand the research agenda for its new survey ship, the Isabu, which is currently being built. Researchers will now have the opportunity to propose projects and lead cruises on board the 5900-ton ship, which will be able to launch autonomous underwater vehicles, perform seismic surveys, and collect sediment cores.