U.N. chief stresses vision of world peace during hometown visit

EUMSEONG, South Korea, Aug. 14 (Yonhap) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday visited his birthplace in central South Korea to reunite with his 90-year-old mother and local residents.
   Upon his arrival in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, about 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul, early Sunday morning, Ban told youth in his hometown to make efforts to rid the global community of "war, famine and human rights violations" and pave the ground for mutual prosperity.



   This was Ban's third visit to his hometown since taking the top U.N. post five years ago. The trip was part of a six-day state visit to South Korea that started on Tuesday.
   Hundreds of villagers and residents from Eumseong and other nearby towns welcomed Ban as he arrived in a foreign ministry vehicle with his wife, Yoo Soon-taek.



   Ban paid his respects at his ancestors' grave, planted a commemorative tree and made a handprint before heading to a nearby public park, where his mother, Shin Hyun-soon, and hundreds of local residents awaited him.
   "There is no difference between localization and globalization. I hope everyone entertains a wish to go global," Ban said before the residents.
   Ban is scheduled to leave the country after visiting his old high school in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province.