The nation's first icebreaker, the "Araon," will explore the North Pole this summer.

The ship will leave its port in Incheon in early July and conduct a research project in the Chukchi Sea above Alaska and the East Siberian Sea for 25 days before returning home in late August.

Researchers will examine the physical characteristics of icebergs and break into ice sheets to measure salinity and temperatures.

They will also gather plankton and microorganisms in the area.

During the voyage, the Araon will also run tests of all its research equipment and conduct icebreaking experiments that were not completed during the ship’s Antarctic mission that finished in March.

If the North Pole survey ends successfully, the Araon is expected to continue to travel to the two polar regions each year.