Print

Mail

wiki links

S Korea's foreign minister joins race for top UN post

South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon yesterday announced his candidacy for the top UN post, saying it would help resolve the nuclear dispute with North Korea if he is chosen to succeed Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

"I hope to contribute to developments in the UN and the international community," Ban, 61, said after announcing his candidacy following months of indirect campaigning for the job.

Ban said Seoul had notified the foreign ministers of all UN member countries -- including North Korea -- of his candidacy, but would not say how Pyongyang reacted.

If selected for the post, he said it "would have positive effects on efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue."

The North has refused to return to international talks on its nuclear programs since last year.

Asian countries believe the next UN secretary-general should come from their continent as part of a traditional rotation among regions for the top UN job every 10 years. Annan's term expires at the end of the year.

Other announced Asian candidates include Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who is backed by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and former UN disarmament chief Jayantha Dhanapala of Sri Lanka who recently represented the government in peace talks with the Tamil Tigers.

The last Asian to hold the UN post was U Thant of Myanmar, who served from 196 to 1971.
This story has been viewed 1440 times.