A crew member of Araon watches a Korean helicopter above the Korean icebreaker ship during a rescue mission for 24 Chinese researchers isolated in Inexpressible Island in the Antarctic region on Wednesday. Yonhap



The Araon, South Korea's only icebreaking vessel, has helped evacuate 24 isolated Chinese researchers in the Antarctic region, the country's ocean ministry said Thursday.



The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the icebreaker gave assistance to researchers on Inexpressible Island near South Korea's Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station in the southernmost continent a day earlier.



While the team originally planned to leave the island on board the Chinese icebreaker Xuelong, the vessel hit an iceberg and had to return to King George Island, stranding the group.



The Chinese government requested South Korea's assistance, with the Araon embarking on the mission to Inexpressible Island earlier this week.





A Korean helicopter from Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station transports Chinese researchers isolated in Inexpressible Island in the region to Araon on Wednesday. Yonhap