The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry will start next year the construction of a 6,000-ton ice breaker to support the nation's exploration in Antarctica.

A ministry official on Tuesday that the country's first ice breaker will have 25 crew and cruising distance of 37,000 kilometers without refueling.

The ice breaker will initially transport supplies and scientists to King Sejong Base on King George Island off the coast of the South Pole.

The government will also choose from three candidate sites to build a second Antarctic base for some 70 billion won. Construction of the new base is slated for completion in 2011.