Ex-UN chief stresses non-partisan action against fine dust

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Thu, November 30, 2023 | 10:17

Politics

Ex-UN chief stresses non-partisan action against fine dust

Posted : 2019-05-17 16:24

Updated : 2019-05-17 18:32

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, left, who now leads a presidential agency handling the nation's fine dust issue, speaks with National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, at the Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for non-partisan cooperation in handling the fine dust issue during a visit to the National Assembly, Friday.

Ban, who now serves as head of the nation's special taskforce to fight fine dust, met main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn and requested the party's active role in tackling the problem.

"Issues such as fine dust and climate change should not be the subject of factional disputes," Ban said, adding no ideological conflicts should ensue in handling them. "The thing is how we can reduce the level of fine dust in the air by utilizing science and technology."

In the meeting with Hwang, Ban raised the need for the LKP to step up efforts with other parties to resolve the air pollution issue.

Ban spoke with Hwang for about 30 minutes. He then had a conversation with National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang and asked for Assembly support to handle the dust issue in a more organized and swift manner.

On May 2, Ban also visited the Assembly to meet ranking members and discuss the issue with other party leaders. They included Lee Hae-chan, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, Sohn Hak-kyu, chief of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, and Justice Party leader Lee Jung-mi.

mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr