The Korea Polar Research Institute will start searching for a site to build the second Korean research base near the South Pole.

According to the institute Monday, two researchers will travel around the eastern part of the Antarctic aboard a Russian icebreaker for two months starting Wednesday to search for possible sites.

The researchers also plan to visit five South Pole bases run by Russia during their exploration to gather some of the information and experience necessary to run a base in the Antarctic.

The nation decided to build a second base as King Sejong Base, built in 1987, has been facing mounting difficulties with its research activities since it is located outside the Antarctic Circle.

The government plans to build the second base by 2012 and make a final decision on a site by October of this year.