Park to address UN assembly

By Kang Seung-woo

President Park Geun-hye

President Park Geun-hye will deliver a keynote speech to the United Nations General Assembly later this month, Cheong Wa Dae announced, Thursday.

Park is scheduled to be in New York from Sept. 22 to 24 to attend the assembly as well as the U.N. Climate Summit. Ahead of the U.S. trip, the president will make a state visit to Canada from Sept. 20 to 22.

The speech will mark Park’s first address to the U.N. assembly since her inauguration in February 2013 and make her the nation’s sixth president to speak there.

“Park’s address on Sept. 24 will deal with Korea’s determination to contribute to peacekeeping and security, human rights and economic development and humanitarian assistance ― the U.N.’s three objectives,“ the presidential office said in a statement.

“She will also address her trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative to seek understanding and support from the international community.”

In order to settle the North Korean nuclear issue, Park will seek to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the United States, China and Russia; but it remains to be seen if Park will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom she has refused to hold a summit due to his “flawed” perception of history. In addition, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong is scheduled to attend the assembly and give a keynote speech on Sept. 30 ― the first U.S. visit by a North Korean foreign minister in 15 years.

One day earlier, Park will attend the climate summit that will include more than 100 heads of state and government leaders, including U.S. President Barack Obama.

Park and other leaders will be given an opportunity to make key announcements and share measures their countries have taken to mitigate climate change.

After the speech, Park is scheduled to attend the Obama-hosted Security Council Summit on the “growing and dangerous phenomenon” of foreign terrorist fighters.

It will mark the first time for a Korean president to attend such a summit and she is expected to address the threat of the Islamic State militant group that has taken over large swaths of Iraq and Syria, and ways for Korea to contribute to solving the problem.

During her state visit to Canada, Park will have a summit with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to seek ways to further strengthen the bilateral ties, boosted by the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) in March, and a state dinner with Governor General David Johnston, who attended Park’s inauguration ceremony.

Park will be the first Korean president to travel to Canada since former President Kim Dae-jung visited there in 1999.

In March, the two nations held a summit in Seoul and another bilateral meeting has been set at the request of Harper.

Along with the schedule, Park is scheduled to meet Korean residents there and plans to attend a business symposium, organized by companies of both countries, the presidential office said.