The present invention relates to an exopolysaccharide derived from Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain CY01 (KCTC 12867BP) which is a novel strain living in the polar regions, and to a composition for cryoprotection of cells, which contains the exopolysaccharide. The exopolysaccharide of the present invention has an excellent ability to cryoprotect cells, and shows no cytotoxicity. Thus, the inventive exopolysaccharide can substitute for conventional cryoprotective agents that show cytotoxicity when used at high concentrations.