South Korea highlights political solutions through dialogue to enhance UN peacekeeping

South Korea has highlighted efforts for political solutions to conflicts and security threats around the world through dialogue to enhance U.N. peacekeeping operations amid global challenges, the foreign ministry said Monday.

Lee Kyung-chul, high representative for U.N. Security Council (UNSC) affairs, made the remark during a UNSC briefing on international peace and security last Tuesday, stressing how U.N. peacekeeping has played an "indispensable" role in ensuring global peace.

"Political solutions do matter in any combination of toolboxes towards a sustaining peace. ... We need a credible political basis to build upon to make any peacebuilding efforts truly rewarding," Lee said in the speech released by the ministry.

"In this context, the Member States, including, in particular, the UNSC members, the UN Secretariat, and the broader spectrum of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, have their share of responsibilities in tackling armed conflicts and other security threats through dialogue and negotiation," he said, reaffirming that South Korea will do its due part in these efforts.

Lee called for "pragmatism and efficiency" in the peacekeeping operations by applying new technologies like artificial intelligence.

He also pointed out the need for "systemwide coordination" in the U.N. to enhance peace operations.

On the sidelines of the briefing, Lee met with Pakistani Ambassador to the U.N. Asim Ahmad and discussed UNSC-related affairs. Pakistan was the UNSC chair for July.

Lee also met separately with top and deputy U.N. envoys of other countries, including Britain, the United States, China and France, for discussions on North Korea and Korean Peninsula issues, situations in the Middle East and Africa and other U.N. peacekeeping-related matters.