South Korea assumes UN Security Council presidency for September

HAMILTON, Canada

South Korea on Tuesday assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for September.

"We understand, perhaps more than anyone, the true value of peace. Moreover, Korea rose from the ashes of war to achieve remarkable economic growth alongside the vital support of the international community, and nurtured a thriving democracy as the world recently witnessed the dynamism and resilience of its democratic spirit in all the world," Sangjin Kim, South Korean Charge d'affaires to the UN, said at a news conference.

He stressed that South Korea will "strive to streamline communication, strengthen the council's effectiveness and ensure a proactive, engaged and results-based approach with it."

Saying that the country will host a "signature event" on Sept. 24 during high-level week, he said the high-level open debate on artificial intelligence under the item of the maintenance of international peace and security, will be chaired by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

"This is the first time the Republic of Korea's president is chairing a Council meeting and Secretary General Antonio Guterres, along with distinguished representatives from civil society, to brief the Council," he said.

He noted that the Council's schedule will also cover "six briefing meetings and seven informal consultations," including sessions on Yemen, Syria, Israeli settlements, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria's chemical weapons.

He said that "on the Iranian file, the snapback mechanism was triggered at the end of last month. In this regard, Korea will fulfill its responsibility as the presidency."

"We will work in close cooperation, not only with fellow council members, but also with the broader membership in bodies and the secretariat, the civil society and the media in the service of our shared goal, the maintenance of international peace and security," he said.

On Palestine, Kim said South Korea supports a two-state solution and described it as the "only viable path" toward peace.

When asked about Syria, he said, "The sense of hope is now being shared among at least 50 member countries," while pointing to hostilities in parts of Syria.

"So, a sense of hope exists together with a sense of worries and frustrations," he said.

The Security Council presidency will pass from Korea to Russia in October.