The peaceful resolution of crises - Han Seung-soo - Brief Article - Interview

UN Chronicle, June-August, 2001

Han Seung-soo, who has been elected President of the fifty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly, is Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. He was first elected in 1988 as a Member of the National Assembly. From 1996 to 1997, he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy, and from 1994 to 1995 served as Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Korea. Dr. Han told Russell Taylor of the Chronicle he hoped to explore New York City cultural treasures. Asked about his favorite artists, he said he was drawn to the works of post-impressionists, as well as those of Kim Ki-chang, one of his country best modern artists, and the renowned video artist. Paik Nam-june.

On balancing the dual roles of Foreign Minister and General Assembly President

The duties of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea and the President of the UN General Assembly are both very important and challenging. I believe, however, that holding the two positions concurrently will be mutually reinforcing. The Republic of Korea is trying to further widen the scope of its diplomacy by strengthening its activities in various multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations, and making a larger contribution to the international community commensurate with its capability. My assuming the presidency of the General Assembly will greatly help me undertake these formidable responsibilities.

On the other hand, my position as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, which is a middle-power country positioned between developed and developing countries, would help me maintain a more objective and balanced position presiding over the General Assembly and coordinate the divergent views and interests of Member States. On a more personal level, my assuming dual roles would save me much time as I would be able to meet leaders and my counterparts at the United Nations, rather than making individual visits to each country, which is usually a large part of the job of a Foreign Minister.

On the impact of the recent global meetings on the agenda of the next General Assembly

The international community has addressed the most pressing issues of our time in a recent series of global meetings, which were initiated by the resolutions of the UN General Assembly. The United Nations plays a crucial role not only in highlighting the issues of global importance, but in following up on the results of the meetings. They are also invaluable in that they are often the biggest gatherings focusing on a single issue, bringing together experts from all sectors, including civil society. Thus, I have no doubt that the outcome of these meetings will serve as a valuable foundation for the deliberations at the forthcoming General Assembly and beyond.

On the special session on children, to be held from 19 to 21 September 2001

As President of the 56th General Assembly, I have high hopes for the special session on children, which is a follow-up to the 1990 World Summit for Children and will be a timely opportunity to assess objectively our achievements and shortcomings in the past decade in bettering the lives of children worldwide. Through the special session, in which civil society and children, as well as Governments and related international organizations, will take part, we hope to ensure full and regular monitoring of progress made in key areas of child health, safety and education. But more significantly, it will be a time to come up with a forward-looking and action-oriented blueprint for the next decade, which will be embodied as a plan of action in the outcome document. Hopefully, this special session will bring forth renewed enthusiasm and commitment on the part of every country to take all necessary measures to give effect to the outcome document.

On the changing nature of peacekeeping

In the past, truce monitoring has been the traditional function of UN peacekeeping operations. But recently, with the changing nature of conflicts and the surge of intra-state confrontations, the functions of peacekeeping operations have become much more complex and comprehensive, encompassing conflict prevention, peacemaking, post-conflict peace-building and assistance to the activities of international criminal tribunals in bringing war criminals to justice. Thus, it has become increasingly difficult to determine the kinds of situations in which the United Nations should take on new peacekeeping operations. However, international attention should be given to situations where a large number of innocent lives are in danger or large-scale massacres take place. Such disasters deserve the attention and concern of the international community since human rights are recognized as a universal value and we are living in an era of globalization. One important criterion for UN action is the invitation or consent of par ties concerned. I hope there will be more thorough and serious discussions on this matter among Member States.