Knife incident at Korean Antarctic base triggers evacuation

A member of a Korean Antarctic research team is accused of threatening fellow crew members with a knife at Jang Bogo Station. (JTBC News) Korean authorities have mounted a rare mid-winter evacuation from Antarctica after an expeditioner allegedly threatened colleagues with a makeshift weapon. The man had to be isolated from other station members for about three weeks before a plane could reach the remote station. The man was flown back to Korea earlier this week, where police are investigating the incident. Link copiedShareShare articleAn Antarctic expeditioner who allegedly threatened colleagues with a large, makeshift knife has been removed from a Korean research station in a rare mid-winter emergency evacuation. The incident occurred at the Jang Bogo Station, 2,000 kilometres south-east of Australia's Casey Station, on April 13, according to Korean media. CCTV footage broadcast by Korean media purportedly shows a man walking up a staircase carrying what appears to be an improvised weapon. Other footage shows expeditioners running from the station's kitchen. The man was isolated and eventually flown off the base three weeks later. (Supplied: JTBC News) "At approximately 7:20pm, local time, on April 13, 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) told the ABC in a statement. "Upon recognition of the situation, the station leader and officials immediately separated [the man] from the rest of the team. The man had to be isolated from the other 17 people at the station for almost three weeks before Korean authorities were able to fly there. "To ensure the continued safety of all personnel, KOPRI decided on the immediate 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 Jang Bogo Station is a permanent, year-round South Korean research base located in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. (Supplied: Korean Polar Research Institute) The man was removed from the station on May 7 and was flown back to Korea on Monday. "A formal investigation is currently being conducted by the police," KOPRI said. "Immediately following the incident, KOPRI conducted remote video consultations and professional psychological counselling for all personnel remaining at the station. "Currently, Jang Bogo Station is in normal operation." KOPRI said it would enhance its pre-deployment training and overhaul its conflict management and incident response manuals. It is not the first time threatening behaviour has occurred at isolated bases in Antarctica, where there are no police to deal with offences. Hanne Nielsen, a senior lecturer in Antarctic law and governance at the University of Tasmania, said there have also been other high-profile criminal cases on the icy continent. Last year, reports emerged of an incident at South Africa's SANAE IV that left fellow expeditioners fearing for their safety. According to South African media, the alleged victim said the accused had threatened to kill someone, "creating an environment of fear and intimidation". South Africa's SANAE IV Antarctic base also experienced an incident in 2025. (Supplied: South African National Antarctic Programme) The issue was reportedly resolved without the need to evacuate anyone from the remote 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 back in 1959, a scientist at another Russian station allegedly murdered a colleague with an ice axe after losing a game of chess. Dr Nielsen said issues in Antarctica sometimes rapidly escalate because of the challenges of living and working in confined and remote places for long periods. Hanne Nielsen says the right mix of people is critical to these extended deployments. (Supplied: UTAS) Expeditioners usually undertake comprehensive psychological assessments before being allowed to join Antarctic programs. Dr Nielsen said getting the right mix of people with suitable attributes was critical to the success of extended 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 said. Australia's Casey Station has also experienced its own challenges. (ABC News: Owain Stia-James) The culture at Australia's Antarctic bases was put in the spotlight in 2022 after a report revealed concerns about bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment. Workplace reforms implemented in the wake of the damning report have led to some improvements, but a review has found some problems persist. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDonald Trump tells Xi Jinpi

Knife incident at Korean Antarctic base triggers evacuation

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