The name Ban Ki Moon isn’t going to ring a bell with many people outside diplomatic circles, but the South Korean foreign minister is the odds-on candidate to succeed Kofi Annan as the next U.N. secretary-general.
Annan’s term ends Dec. 31. The 15-member Security Council is expected to take a formal vote on Ban today and send its recommendation to the 192-member General Assembly for ratification.
The world body is desperate for strong leadership, and Ban will be expected to implement reforms both initiated and resisted by Annan. Ban has stated that he strongly supports long-overdue changes to improve U.N. management and to make the organization “relevant again.” He has urged strong action to fight genocide, reduce poverty and expand peace and security, development, and human rights.
Ban is a strong advocate for the United Nations, and his optimism and vision will be critical to making the organization effective at a time of global challenges.
Ban cites his country as a U.N. success story. South Korea was created by the United Nations in 1948 and defended by U.N.-authorized troops in the Korean War.
Ban has friendly ties with the U.S., and while he has an understated manner, he has been described as a consensus builder who has honed his mediating skills in tough sessions with North Korea. Such talents would serve him well in an organization where conflict is common.
Critics worry that he will be too willing to compromise, and it remains to be seen whether Ban can take a strong stand on such tough issues as North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons. He endorsed a Security Council resolution after North Korea test-fired seven missiles in July, a resolution banning member nations from trade or financial dealings that might support North Korea’s missile program. But he opposed U.S. pressure to expand existing sanctions and avoids criticizing North Korea’s human rights record.
Still, in an address before the General Assembly on Sept. 24, Ban stated that his government supported “global action to strength the values of human rights and democracy.”
