By Park Si-soo
South Korea is seeking a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in 2013-14 as part of efforts to reduce tensions with “nuclear-ambitioned” North Korea.
The election to the council will help Seoul in its efforts to strengthen peace and security on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the East Asia region.
“Korea is seeking a seat on the U.N. Security Council for the 2013-2014 term,” said Vice Foreign Minister Min Dong-seok in an opening speech at an international seminar in Seoul Tuesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the country’s membership in the U.N.
“Faced with constant 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.”
Min urged foreign ambassadors and high-ranking diplomats who attended the event to put their weight behind the country’s bid for the position.
The announcement came as inter-Korean relations have soured of late following the North’s two deadly attacks on the South last year that killed 50 South Koreans.
South Korea sat on the council as a non-permanent member in 1996-1997. It applied for the seat again last year and the U.N. will vote on the bid in October next year.
The Security Council is the only U.N. organization entitled to make legally-binding decisions related to international peace and security.
It is comprised of five permanent veto-wielding members — the U.S., Britain, Russia, China, and France — and 10 other elected non-permanent members with two-year terms. Five of the non-permanent members are replaced each year through an election at the U.N. General Assembly.
“Issues of U.N. peacekeeping operations and non-proliferation are of particular interest to Korea,” Min said. “If elected, we are eager to play a full part in such fields.” He 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 rendering full support to the U.N. so that it can deliver relief and assistance to those in need,” he 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. In this regard, Korea looks forward to working together with other fellow U.N. member states.”