SEOUL, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon Tuesday declared his candidacy for the top post at the United Nations, as Kofi Annan's replacement.
"The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to present Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as a candidate for the post of the next secretary general of the United Nations," Vice Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan told a news conference.
It will be the first time a South Korean candidate has run for U.N. secretary general.
Ban, a career diplomat with 36 years of service, has been South Korean foreign minister since January 2004. The 61-year-old diplomat has served as South Korea's ambassador to the United Nations.
"We will notify the Security Council of his candidacy through a letter addressed to its president once the council officially commences the election process," Yu said.
Ministry officials said South Korea's unique experience of building the world's 11th-largest economy on the ruins of the 1950-53 Korean War would help the South Korean candidate.
The officials also cited the "U.N tradition" that calls for the regional rotation of the top post. It is generally agreed that the next secretary-general should be from Asia. Annan's second five-year term expires in December.
