UNITED NATIONS (Yonhap) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday he hopes to see tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia ease next year, saying 2012 will be a very important one for Koreans.

   In a New Year's message to the people of his native South Korea, Ban also said he will provide unsparing support as U.N. chief to help reduce tensions on the divided peninsula and in the region.

   Ban said that the year 2012 will be "very important" for the Korean Peninsula, apparently referring to the leadership change in North Korea after the Dec. 17 death of Kim Jong-il. South Korea is also set to elect a new parliament and a new president next year.

   Ban also praised South Korea's economic development and democracy as an exemplary success case of realizing the ideals and goals the United Nations pursues.

   He also called for South Koreans to make greater contributions to the international community.