Ban Ki-moon said...

"I may look soft from the outside, but I have inner strength when it's really necessary. "

You say...

No comments have been provided.

Your comments about Ban Ki-moon

Ban Shoots for the Moon!

Ban Ki-moon, former Korean diplomat, is the secretary-general of the United Nations.

Ban Ki-moon, former Korean diplomat, replaced Kofi Annan as secretary-general of the United Nations on January 1, 2007. Ban was elected to be the secretary-general by the United Nations General Assembly in October of 2006. Previous to his election, he was Foreign Minister to the Republic of Korea from January 2004 to November 1, 2006.

Ban was inspired toward a career in politics upon meeting John F. Kennedy, as the winner of an English writing contest. Ban joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 1970 and began work for the United Nations in New Delhi. From 1990 to 1994, he went on to become the first secretary then director of South Korea's mission to the U.N. in New York City. He simultaneously served as director-general of American affairs to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Embassy in Washington, D.C.

In 1995, he became Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and International Organizations. In 1996, he became the National Security Advisor to the President then served as foreign policy advisor to President Noh Moo-hyun. Ban was Ambassador to Austria in 1999. In 2001, he was appointed Chief of staff to the president of the U.N. General Assembly.

Ban has been involved in the shaping the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as Chairman of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom), in 1999.

In addition to foreign relations, Ban's work is also focused on inter-relationships in Korea. In 1992, he was Vice Chairman of the South-North Joint Nuclear Control Commission of the Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of Korea upon adoption by North and South Korea. In 2005, as Foreign Minister, he led diplomatic efforts to adopt the Joint Declaration and resolve North Korea's nuclear issue.

The Government of the Republic of Korea awarded Ban the Order of Service Merit, three times; in 1975, 1986 and again in 2006. In 2001, the Republic of Austria awarded Ban the Grand Decoration of Honour for his service as envoy. Brazil has honored him with the Grand Cross of Rio Branco and in September 2005, the Korean Society of New York bestowed the James A. Van Fleet Award for his efforts to friendship between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.

In 2001, Ban was forced to make a public apology in Washington to former Korean president, Kim Dae Jung, for a political faux paux made by his aid in support of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty when the Bush Administration had dismissed it.

Ban was the first South Korean candidate to run for Secretary General and the first Asian to lead the organization since 1971.

Ban is criticized for his poor French.

He has been called "a slippery eel" by the press for his ability to dodge questions.

Ban Ki-moon is married to Yoo Soon-taek, who was president of the couple's high school student council. They have two daughters, Seon Yong (1972), and Hyun Hee (1976) and son, Woo Hyun (1974).