Welcoming Remarks
by H.E. Cho Tae-yul
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
at Special Ceremony
in Commemoration of the 70thAnniversary
of the United Nations

May 20, 2015

Honorable Secretary-General and Mrs. Ban Ki-moon,
Esteemed Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year 2015 is a very special year as it marks the 70th anniversary of the United Nations and the independence of Korea. In this historic year, it is a great honor and privilege for me to welcome all of you to this special event organized to deliberate on the noble aspirations and values of the United Nations in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

I would like to thank Ambassador Park Soo-gil, President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), Ambassador Lee Ho-Jin, President of the United Nations Republic of Korea, and Ambassador Chung Tae-ik, President of the Korea Council on Foreign Relations for co-hosting this meaningful event. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to the distinguished members of the diplomatic corps for taking time out of their busy schedules to be here with us today.

70 years ago, the founders of the United Nations came together in San Francisco to sign the UN Charter that enshrines their strong commitment to protecting future generations from the scourge of war. Today’s global village, however, is a far cry from what the founders of the UN had envisioned.

Today, millions of innocent lives are being sacrificed in conflicts across the globe, notably in Yemen and Syria, and falling victim to the rapid rise of terrorism. Climate change and infectious diseases, such as Ebola, are posing a threat to the very foundation of humanity. I believe Pope Francis described it best by saying that “today, after the second failure of another world war, perhaps one can speak of a third war, one fought piecemeal, with crimes, massacres, destruction."

As the UN falls short of fulfilling its mandate embodied in the UN Charter, skepticism about the raison d’être of the organization itself is arising. However, we must be mindful that the only way to overcome the borderless multi-dimensional challenges and to usher in an era of lasting peace and prosperity is to strengthen international cooperation through a stronger and more effective United Nations. The world needs a relevant UN, not a perfect one.

It is therefore essential that we seize this commemorative anniversary to replicate the sense of urgency that led to San Francisco seven decades ago. I believe that under the stewardship of Secretary-General Ban, we can mobilize solidarity and summon pragmatism and vision needed to improve this indispensable agora of nations and adapt it to the challenges of the 21st century.

Korea remains committed to partnering with the UN to create the world that was dreamt by its founders. In fact, 10 years ago today, at the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the then Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said, "Korea will play its part and more for the success of the UN in its endeavors to become more vibrant and effective organization for the 21st century". Such commitment stems from the fact that without the help of the UN in our nation’s time of need -- from foundation and nation-building through the present -- Korea as it stands today could not have existed.

With this commitment, Korea has been increasing its contributions to all three pillars of the United Nations, especially the UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Korea has also been steadily increasing its Official Development Assistance (ODA), sharing its experiences in transforming from an aid-recipient to a full-fledged donor country while simultaneously achieving industrialization and democratization within a span of only half a century.

Based on the trust and goodwill of the international community it has earned in the process of national development, Korea will try to enhance its visibility in promoting global peace and prosperity by playing the role of facilitator, supporter and initiator in addressing common challenges faced by humanity. Most notably, however, Korea has given the UN its current and indefatigable leader to whom the world looks for guidance and wisdom in times of need.

It was back in February of 1980 that I first met Secretary-General Ban in New York while attending the 3rdUNLawoftheSeaConference. He was then the First Secretary at the Korean Mission to the UN. Ban Ki-moon, who is sitting here with us today as the head of the United Nations, is exactly the same person that I met 35 years ago in New York. He has not changed one bit from the day of our first encounter in the way he treats me as an individual. It is human nature for one to have their nose in the air after a promotion to even one higher rank. But Secretary-General Ban has remained steadfast in living a life of modesty, while valuing all human relations and personal connections.

From my own experience in 36 years of public service, I know very well how difficult this is to do. I am sure that many of my senior colleagues present here today will agree with me on this point. A humble attitude towards life and ceaseless efforts to lead by example together with enduring passion and conviction are keys to his success as an individual and as Secretary-General of the UN.
Secretary-General Ban has been displaying a kind of leadership that may differ from that to which the West is accustomed. But his leadership powerfully delivers goals. Today’s leadership is not about the ability to dictate, but the ability to work with others. Secretary-General Ban is the very living example of a collaborating leader with powers of persuasion. And we can see for ourselves how this leadership has led to productive results.

Under his leadership, the UN is planning to launch the post-2015 development agenda and a new climate regime at the end of this year. Despite resistance from some member states and the Secretariat, he is also making progress in the reform of the UN Secretariat, which has been a longstanding task. These signature legacies of Secretary-General Ban will serve as a strong foundation for a more effective and relevant United Nations.

The world is a better place for the remarkable qualities he brings to his demanding job and Korea is proud to be his home.

I believe this special event is an excellent opportunity to look back on the footprints of the UN and to share a new vision for the next 70 years to come, which Secretary-General Ban will present to us today. I am delighted to be in your company at this memorable event. Thank you very much.