1. The government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) announced that Korean candidate Lim Ki-tack, President of Busan Port Authority, was elected as the next Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in an election held in London on June 30.

o This is a great achievement, as it is the first time for a Korean to be elected as head of an international organization within the UN system responsible for technical and safety regulations in the maritime transport and shipbuilding industry. With this, a Korean has once again become the head of a UN agency after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

2. The IMO is the UN’s specialized agency which makes and revises international regulations related to safety in maritime transport and shipbuilding, marine environment protection, counter-piracy, maritime security, maritime logistics, and facilitation of maritime traffic, as well as handles relevant technical cooperation projects. The IMO with 171 member states has a big influence in the maritime transport and shipbuilding sector.

o The organization enacts and amends a range of international regulations, which are often called the center of the global maritime transport and shipbuilding sector because of their significant impact on the maritime industry.

3. The IMO’s role is expected to increase further in major issues, including development and conservation of the Arctic and Antarctic, climate change response, and preservation of marine biodiversity. From 2016 onward, all member states must undergo mandatory inspections by the IMO on whether they are properly implementing the IMO’s international regulations related to safety and environment. This is expected to further expand the agency’s influence.

* The IMO, established in 1959, is the UN’s specialized agency with responsibility for maritime safety and security and marine environment protection. The ROK joined the organization in 1962. It has 171 member states with around 300 staff in its Secretariat.

4. This accomplishment was possible due to the contributions the ROK had made in the global maritime sector, as well as the visions and strategies presented by candidate Lim.

o Support could be drawn from many IMO Council members, as it was highlighted that the ROK, which was a poor, aid-recipient, and divided country just a few decades ago, has developed into a country with the largest market share in the maritime transport and shipbuilding sector, becoming a model economic power.

o The election of President Lim is expected to provide a new momentum for the revival of the maritime transport and shipbuilding industry, and facilitate the ROK’s new economic leap forward.

5. The IMO Secretariat is based in London, United Kingdom. The next Secretary-General will begin his four-year term in January 2016. The Secretary-General can serve another term consecutively.


*unofficial translation