By Jano Gibson, ABC News
A member of a Korean Antarctic analysis staff is accused of threatening fellow crew members with a knife at Jang Bogo Station.
Photo: JTBC News
An Antarctic expeditioner who allegedly threatened colleagues with a big, makeshift knife has been faraway from a Korean analysis station after an emergency evacuation.
The incident occurred on the Jang Bogo Station, 2000 kilometres south-east of Australia’s Casey Station, on 13 April, according to Korean media.
CCTV footage broadcast by Korean media purportedly exhibits a person strolling up a staircase carrying what seems to be an improvised weapon.
Other footage exhibits expeditioners operating from the station’s kitchen.
“At approximately 7.20pm, local time, on 13 April, a safety incident occurred at the Jang Bogo Science Station in Antarctica, where an overwintering research member threatened other members with a weapon,” the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) advised the ABC in an announcement.
“Upon recognition of the scenario, the station chief and officers instantly separated [the man] from the remaining of the staff.
“The situation was expeditiously brought under control with no injuries.”
The man needed to be remoted from the opposite 17 folks on the station for nearly three weeks earlier than Korean authorities have been capable of fly there.
“To make sure the continued security of all personnel, KOPRI selected the rapid emergency repatriation of [the man].
“Although regular flight operations had been halted due to the onset of the austral winter and deteriorating weather conditions, KOPRI successfully secured emergency transportation through international diplomatic and logistical cooperation.”
The man was faraway from the station on 7 May and was flown again to Korea on Monday.
“A formal investigation is currently being conducted by the police,” KOPRI stated.
“Immediately following the incident, KOPRI carried out distant video consultations {and professional} psychological counselling for all personnel remaining on the station.
“Currently, Jang Bogo Station is in normal operation.”
The Jang Bogo Station is a everlasting, year-round South Korean analysis base positioned in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica.
Photo: Korean Polar Research Institute
KOPRI stated it might improve its pre-deployment coaching and overhaul its battle administration and incident response manuals.
“KOPRI feels a heavy sense of responsibility for this incident and deeply apologises to the station members, their families, and the public.”
Small incidents can rapidly escalate
It just isn’t the primary time threatening behaviour has occurred at remoted bases in Antarctica, the place there aren’t any police to cope with offences.
Hanne Nielsen, a senior lecturer in Antarctic regulation and governance on the University of Tasmania, stated there had been other high-profile criminal cases on the icy continent.
“Wherever you have people, you will have transgressions,” Dr Nielsen stated.
Last yr, reviews emerged of an incident at South Africa’s SANAE IV that left fellow expeditioners fearing for his or her security.
According to South African media, the alleged sufferer stated the accused had threatened to kill somebody, “creating an environment of fear and intimidation”.
The challenge was reportedly resolved with out the necessity to evacuate anybody from the distant station.
In one incident in 2018, a Russian scientist was accused of stabbing a colleague in the chest for spoiling the endings of books.
And again in 1959, a scientist at one other Russian station allegedly murdered a colleague with an ice axe after shedding a sport of chess.
Dr Nielsen stated points in Antarctica generally quickly escalated as a result of of the challenges of residing and dealing in confined and distant locations for lengthy intervals.
“You can see small things blowing up into larger issues, so [for example], spoiling a book ending for someone ending up in violence,” she stated.
Pre-departure screening is important
Expeditioners often undertake complete psychological assessments earlier than being allowed to affix Antarctic applications.
Dr Nielsen stated getting the right combination of folks with appropriate attributes was important to the success of prolonged deployments to the icy continent.
“I think the question of how you deal with a crime comes back to before you even leave for the Antarctic,” she stated.
“Making that environment a really safe one with the people who will be working together … and recruiting the right people.”
Hanne Nielsen says the right combination of folks is important to prolonged deployments.
Photo: UTAS
The tradition at Australia’s Antarctic bases was put in the spotlight in 2022 after a report revealed issues about bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment.
Workplace reforms applied within the wake of the damning report have led to some enhancements, however a review has found some problems persist.
– ABC News