The South Korean icebreaker "Araon" has departed Alaska for its exploration of the Arctic.

The Araon left the Port of Nome in Alaska early Monday morning Korean time and has since passed through the Bering Strait which borders the U.S. and Russia.

The vessel is expected to reach the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic on Wednesday where researchers will begin a comprehensive survey of Arctic waters, ecology and climate. Eighty-three people are on board the Araon including the researchers, crew members and KBS reporters.

Icebreakers are specially designed vessels with reinforced hulls capable of breaking up ice in bodies of water.