The nation’s first icebreaker, the “Araon,” has left port for Antarctica.

The vessel’s first polar mission is to survey the Antarctic zone for candidate sites for the nation’s second research center and to test the ship’s ice-breaking capability.

The Araon, carrying 28 researchers and crew members, is scheduled to arrive at Cape Burks in the Antarctic on January 25th via Christchurch, New Zealand.

The 69-hundred-ton vessel is equipped with advanced marine research equipment and can break through one-meter of ice at a speed of three knots.

The government injected 100-billion won, or about 86 million U.S. dollars, to develop the icebreaker.