ID :
194386
Tue, 07/12/2011 - 04:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/194386
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S. Korea steps up bid to regain U.N. Security Council seat
SEOUL, July 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea asked on Tuesday that United Nations officials back its bid for a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in 2013-2014, expressing hopes that the post would help reduce high tensions with North Korea.
"Faced with threats from North Korea, our participation in U.N. activities for international peace and security holds greater meaning than simply contributing to the international community," Vice Foreign Minister Min Dong-seok told a forum on South Korea's future role in the U.N.
"In this context, Korea is seeking a seat on the U.N. Security Council for the 2013-2014 term," Min said.
Min said the 15-member council has been assuming greater importance and expanding its scope to encompass such fields as human rights and climate changes since it is the only institution endowed with the authority to make legally binding decisions.
The council has five permanent veto-wielding members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and 10 non-permanent members elected to serve two-year terms.
South Korea, which last sat on the council in 1996-1997, officially applied to return to the council last year and the U.N. will vote on the bid in October next year, foreign ministry officials said.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following North Korea's two deadly military attacks on South Korea last year -- the sinking of a South Korean warship and the shelling of an island -- that killed a total of 50 South Koreans.
The one-day forum in Seoul was held to debate South Korea's future policy in the U.N. in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its formal admission to the global organization.
South Korea became a full U.N. member in 1991 with the right to vote. Before then, it had observer status in the U.N. General Assembly and was only allowed to attend meetings.
Min pledged that South Korea will continue to increase its contribution to the U.N. and join global efforts to reform the organization.
"Korea will continue to render full support to the U.N., so that it can deliver relief and assistance to those in need," Min said.
"However, it is our view that the U.N., with limited resources at its disposal, should be managed in the most efficient way so as to be able to carry out its mandates with a greater impact," he said. "In this regard, Korea looks forward to working together with other fellow U.N. member states to this end."
During the forum, Vijay Nambiar, the chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, plans to present a new agenda and emerging issues in the U.N.
"Faced with threats from North Korea, our participation in U.N. activities for international peace and security holds greater meaning than simply contributing to the international community," Vice Foreign Minister Min Dong-seok told a forum on South Korea's future role in the U.N.
"In this context, Korea is seeking a seat on the U.N. Security Council for the 2013-2014 term," Min said.
Min said the 15-member council has been assuming greater importance and expanding its scope to encompass such fields as human rights and climate changes since it is the only institution endowed with the authority to make legally binding decisions.
The council has five permanent veto-wielding members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- and 10 non-permanent members elected to serve two-year terms.
South Korea, which last sat on the council in 1996-1997, officially applied to return to the council last year and the U.N. will vote on the bid in October next year, foreign ministry officials said.
Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high following North Korea's two deadly military attacks on South Korea last year -- the sinking of a South Korean warship and the shelling of an island -- that killed a total of 50 South Koreans.
The one-day forum in Seoul was held to debate South Korea's future policy in the U.N. in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its formal admission to the global organization.
South Korea became a full U.N. member in 1991 with the right to vote. Before then, it had observer status in the U.N. General Assembly and was only allowed to attend meetings.
Min pledged that South Korea will continue to increase its contribution to the U.N. and join global efforts to reform the organization.
"Korea will continue to render full support to the U.N., so that it can deliver relief and assistance to those in need," Min said.
"However, it is our view that the U.N., with limited resources at its disposal, should be managed in the most efficient way so as to be able to carry out its mandates with a greater impact," he said. "In this regard, Korea looks forward to working together with other fellow U.N. member states to this end."
During the forum, Vijay Nambiar, the chief of staff for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, plans to present a new agenda and emerging issues in the U.N.
