국제사회 인권 논의의 중심적 기구인 유엔 인권이사회(Human Rights Council)의 의장직을 우리나라가 처음으로 맡게 됐다.
우리나라는 7일 오후(현지시간) 스위스 제네바 유럽 유엔본부에서 개최된 유엔 인권이사회 조직회의에서 내년 인권이사회 의장국으로 선출됐다.
이에 따라 최경림 주 제네바 한국대표부 대사가 내년 1월1일부터 1년간 의장으로서 유엔 인권이사회의 각종 회의를 운영하는 역할을 하게 된다.
(Yonhap)
Korea to head U.N. Human Rights Council
South Korea was chosen on Monday to lead the United Nations Human Rights Council next year in recognition of its efforts to promote human rights around the world, the Foreign Ministry said.
The decision came at a council meeting in Geneva, making South Korea the second Asia-Pacific nation to hold the presidency after Thailand in 2010-2011.
Amb. Choi Kyong-lim, South Korea's permanent representative to the U.N. Office at Geneva, will assume the one-year presidency on Jan. 1, 2016.
"It will be the first time we assume the presidency of an international human rights organization since the foundation of our government in 1948," a ministry official said. "We are seen by the international community as a country that has made large achievements in democracy and the expansion of human rights. Also, over the past 10 years, we have served on the council three times and as we serve a fourth time we are seen as having contributed to the promotion of human rights around the world."
South Korea's fourth term on the 47-member panel will run from 2016-2018.
As president, South Korea will be responsible for overseeing the U.N.'s Universal Periodic Review of human rights situations in all U.N. member states, among other tasks. (Yonhap)
MOST POPULAR