Researchers in Antarctica are facing sexual harassment and violent conflicts, including an incident with a colleague armed with a knife.

At the South Pole, tensions among researchers are rising, and violent incidents are becoming frequent. A South Korean researcher was caught in an armed conflict, brandishing a knife, which led to his isolation for three weeks until his repatriation. The alarm was triggered on April 13, when his colleagues fled from the cafeteria. In extreme isolation conditions, accumulated stress can lead to violent reactions, and organizations coordinating expeditions are aware of this phenomenon. Previously, researchers from other bases reported physical assaults and sexual harassment, and a 2022 report highlighted inappropriate behaviors affecting the safety of women in expeditions. These issues raise serious questions about the working environment in Antarctica and the necessary protective measures for researchers.