Prospects of Russian-Korean High-Tech Cooperation in the Arctic: New Challenges in Light of Sanctions and COVID-19

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea in the Arctic in the face of a pandemic Covid-19 and new sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia. In the conditions of economic slowdown, it is cooperation in high-tech industries - shipbuilding, logistics projects - has become a priority for Russian-Korean cooperation in the Arctic The authors compare the priorities of the participation of South Korean companies in the modernization of the Northern Sea Route, in the development of cooperation in shipbuilding, joint transport and logistics projects with Russia’s interests in Arctic. In the context of the pandemic, the introduction of sanitary and restrictive measures, remote staff mode, the ban on the entry of foreign specialists caused a decrease in the volume of shipping in the whole world and between Russia and the Republic of Korea. In the new conditions, business activity, mobility of investors, representatives of medium and small businesses participating in Arctic cooperation decreased. This is evident in the analysis of economic indicators. Despite the obvious negative trends, countries have managed to maintain all areas of interaction. The authors note the consistent implementation of previous agreements on major shipbuilding projects, the preservation of dialogue mechanisms to discuss transport and logistics projects in the region, taking into account the interests of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea.