REPUBLIC OF KOREA

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REPUBLIC OF KOREA

FOR UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL 2024-2025

Republic of Korea and the United Nations

In today’s world, where most of the challenges we face are globally intertwined, the United Nation’s ability to bring the international community together for an inclusive discussion that leads to collective action is more vital than ever. Over the last 30 years, the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been a reliable supporter and ardent champion of the UN and its core values.

The ROK has been a steadfast contributor to UN Peacekeeping since 1993, shortly after it became a UN member. So far, more than 19,000 Korean nationals have served in UN Peacekeeping Missions in conflict- affected regions.

During its two stints on the Security Council in 1996-1997 and 2013-2014, the ROK contributed to pioneering Security Council discussions on the protection of civilians, consolidating international commitment on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and bridging differences inside the Security Council, among other areas. In addition, we have played an active role in facilitating international discussions on emerging threats stemming from cybersecurity, the pandemic, and climate change.

As the Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission in 2017, the ROK made its effort to further strengthen the Commission, with a particular focus on improving its unique advisory role to the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as strengthening collaboration with other stakeholders in its peacebuilding activities.

While it has been only 30 years since the Republic of Korea joined the UN as a full member, our relationship with the body goes back to the Republic’s very inception. The ROK held its first national election in 1948 with the help of the UN. Since then, the UN has always been an important part of our history, from restoring peace and security after the Korean War to achieving economic development and promoting human rights. As such, the Republic of Korea is firmly committed to playing its part in promoting the purpose and principles of the UN as enshrined in its Charter.

As we announce our candidacy for Security Council membership in 2024-2025, the ROK pledges to further its contributions to building and sustaining global peace and security and responding to emerging security threats, based on international law and universal values.

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Republic of Korea UN Security Council 2024-2025

Our Priorities:

Creating a Safer World for Future Generations

Peacekeeping Operations:

Technology and Medical Capacity Building

The ROK has been keen on making peacekeeping stronger and more effective by increasing its contributions in line with Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and A4P+. As part of its efforts, the ROK is hosting the 2021 Peacekeeping Ministerial in Seoul with a particular focus on technology and medical capacity building as the cross-cutting themes.

Building on the initiative, the ROK will continue to support capacity building of the peacekeeping operations to better address evolving challenges, especially in technology and medical capacity.

Sustaining Peace:

Coherence and Partnership

The evolving and complex nature of the current conflict landscape calls for a holistic approach to achieve sustaining peace. The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus is crucial to building resilience and preventing a relapse into conflict. Promoting and advancing the rule of law and good governance is also essential to achieving sustaining peace.

The ROK has been actively contributing to peacebuilding activities, including through the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. The ROK will continue to encourage enhanced partnership between the Security Council and the PBC, and better coordination between the UN bodies and field missions, to ensure that our efforts for sustaining peace are more coherent and effective.

Women, Youth, Peace and Security

Our profound belief is that enduring peace can only be made possible through an inclusive political process. In particular, the ROK, as a strong advocate for the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas, believes that the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and youth in the peace process is critical. Accordingly, the ROK has been making its utmost efforts to advance these agendas through its ‘Action with Women and Peace’ Initiative and the introduction of the resolution on Youth, Disarmament and Non-proliferation which underlines the empowerment of youth in this field.

Children and Armed Conflict

The protection of civilians in armed conflicts was one of the top priorities of the ROK during its terms in the Security Council. In particular, the ROK has emphasized the importance of the Children and Armed Conflict agenda and the need to better protect children. As a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Coalition for Reintegration of Child Soldiers, the ROK has also been highlighting the crucial need to facilitate the reintegration of children in conflict-affected regions. Safe and unhindered humanitarian access is an integral part of such protection and requires the collective efforts of the international community.

Emerging Security Threats

New technologies used in conflicts and terrorism, potential conflicts in emerging domains including cyberspace and outer space, and global challenges, such as pandemic and climate change, are increasing risks to global peace and security.

The ROK has been steadfast in facilitating multilateral dialogue and cooperation in addressing these emerging challenges. At the outbreak of COVID-19, the ROK led the way in initiating the Groups of Friends on global health security in the UN, WHO, and UNESCO along with other co-chairs; it hosted the 2021 Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, providing an opportunity to bring together the political will and efforts of the international community against climate change; and recently it has launched the World Emerging Security Forum for an in-depth discussion of the impact of these challenges on international peace and security. Drawing on its experience as Chair of the Security Council 1540 Committee and the major export control regimes on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the ROK will continue to play an active role in exploring potential impact of new technologies on non-proliferation.

The ROK is committed to working with the international community to address the existing and potential security challenges and will spare no effort to promote international peace and security.

Winner of the Video Contest in Celebration of the ROK's 30th Anniversary of UN Membership