EU plans Arctic subsea cables to Japan and South Korea via Greenland

Key facts

• The EU is working on plans for Arctic submarine cables connecting to Japan and South Korea via Greenland, experts said.
• Brussels views the project as critical infrastructure, while Tokyo sees it as a commercial venture, according to the report.
• A lack of urgency in Tokyo is a drag on the project, experts said.
• The Polar Connect project has used the research vessel Oden to survey and map the Arctic.

The European Union is working on plans to lay Arctic submarine cables to connect to Japan and South Korea via Greenland, although a lack of urgency in Tokyo is a drag on the project, experts said in a report published on November 2, 2026.

Brussels views the project as critical infrastructure, while Tokyo sees it as a commercial venture, according to the report.

The Polar Connect project has used the research vessel Oden to survey and map the Arctic, the report said.