United Nations – The U.N. Security Council nominated South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon on Monday to succeed Kofi Annan as United Nations secretary-general, all but assuring that the quiet diplomat will become the eighth chief in the group’s 61-year history.
What would have been an event of major significance – Ban will become one of the world’s best-known and most influential diplomats over his five-year term – was overshadowed by North Korea’s claim it had conducted a nuclear test.
“This should be a moment of joy. But instead, I stand here with a very heavy heart,” Ban said at a news conference in Seoul, South Korea. “Despite the concerted warning from the international community, North Korea has gone ahead with a nuclear test.”
Ban, who participated in six- party disarmament talks with the North in 2005, vowed to help resolve the nuclear crisis after he becomes secretary-general. He would take office on Jan. 1, a day after Annan’s second five-year term expires.
Japan’s U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima asked the 192-nation world body to act promptly to give final approval to Ban so he can have a sufficient transition before taking over.
“I think the fact that the candidate is currently foreign minister of the Republic of Korea is an asset in dealing with the situation in the Korean Peninsula that we are now facing,” he said.
Normally the council would vote on a nomination. But Britain’s Ambassador Emyr Jones- Parry suggested in Monday’s meeting that Ban be approved by acclamation. The idea was greeted with applause from the other ambassadors, diplomats who attended the meeting said.
Unlike in previous years, Ban’s selection was marked by an absence of rancor or political infighting. He was the front-runner in all four informal polls the Security Council conducted.
A final straw poll last week revealed he had the support of all five veto-wielding council members, and the remaining five candidates quickly left the race.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement that Ban “is the right choice to lead the United Nations at this pivotal time.”
Ban has been South Korea’s foreign minister for more than 2 1/2 years and served as national-security adviser to two presidents – jobs that focused on relations with the North. He has served as a diplomat for nearly 40 years, including stints at the U.N. and in Washington.
Ban campaigned aggressively and gave numerous speeches to make himself better known and counter the impression that he was too quiet or humble to inherit the job.
