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U.N. Security Council Nominates S. Korean as Secretary General
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Ban's selection marks the first time since the United Nations' founding that a secretary general has come from a military ally of the United States. And Ban actively pressed his government to send Korean troops to Iraq, backing a U.S.-led invasion that was bitterly opposed by Annan and most U.N. members.
Still, Ban has persuaded China and Russia that he will show sufficient independence from the United States.
"For him to get U.S. support was easy. He's very well liked in Washington," said Richard C. Holbrooke, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who heads the Asia Society. "The fact that he could get the Chinese on board, provided he didn't make a private arrangement with them, providing there is no secret understanding, is . . . an extremely impressive achievement."
Ban was born into a upper class family in South Korea's North Chungchong province. His entry into the world of international affairs began as a teenager in 1962, when he won an English-language speech contest that led to a visit to the United States and a meeting with President John F. Kennedy. The trip inspired Ban to pursue a career in diplomacy.
Ban has since developed extensive experience in the United Nations, where he served South Korea as a junior diplomat and later as chief of staff of former U.N. General Assembly President Han Seung Soo. Han, the former South Korean foreign minister, led the world body after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Han credits Ban with playing a key role in shaping the U.N. response to the terrorist attacks. "Ban appears to be soft-spoken, but he can be tough when needed," Han said.
Han described his former aide as "righteous man" who hails from a "very noble family that honors sacrifice for the greater good."
"When his son was drafted to one of the toughest divisions in the military, he could have used his power status to move his boy to a less dangerous post," Han said. "Ban flatly refused to do so, saying there's a line between public and private affairs."
Cho reported from Seoul.
