On April 17, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, who was on a visit to Korea, to exchange views on Korea-UN cooperation, Korean Peninsula issues and global affairs.

Foreign Minister Park, welcoming Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo’s first visit to Korea, stressed that the Korean government’s efforts to respect universal values and safeguard the rules-based international order are in line with the spirit of the UN Charter. He went on to explain that Korea’s aspiration to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council during the 2024-2025 term is part of the country’s efforts to play a more responsible role in the international community as it seeks to become a global pivotal state.

Foreign Minister Park mentioned that, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the world has been facing a more severe division and challenges than ever before, highlighting the need to muster wisdom through the UN and a stronger multilateralism in order to overcome the polycrisis. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo extended appreciation to Korea for actively conveying its position on various global issues and increasing its assistance on those issues.

Foreign Minister Park stated that Korea, as a country that experienced pain of war, harbors sympathy for Ukraine’s sufferings and thus is supporting the international community’s diplomatic and economic efforts to contribute to bringing an end to the war and restoring peace. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo offered gratitude to Korea for its active assistance regarding the Ukrainian crisis. 

Foreign Minister Park voiced concern over the recent armed clashes in Sudan; explained the Korean government’s basic position calling for an immediate end to the use of force by all relevant parties; and offered condolences over death and serious injury of UN staffs in the clashes. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo explained that the UN, on its part, is communicating closely with relevant parties and stakeholders in an effort to prevent the current situation from exacerbating any further. 

The Foreign Minister and the Under-Secretary-General expressed concern over the worsening human rights situation of women in Afghanistan, while agreeing on the need for the international community’s continued attention and support in the face of the prolonged violence and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. 

Foreign Minister Park voiced deep concern over North Korea continuing to threaten peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region through its unprecedented level of provocations since last year; underscored the importance of the international community’s firm and united response; and asked the UN Secretariat to play an active role in calling for North Korea to cease its  provocations and return to denuclearization negotiations.

Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo reaffirmed the UN’s resolute support, saying that UN Secretary-General Guterres has continuously expressed support for the Korean government’s efforts to achieve sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula and that this UN position remains unchanged. 

The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs is the UN Secretariat’s key unit handling conflict  prevention and peacebuilding affairs based on analyses on issues around the world, including the Korean Peninsula. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo’s visit to Korea and Foreign Minister Park’s meeting with the Under-Secretary-General are seen to have laid the groundwork for Korea to step up cooperation with the UN if and when Korea joins the Security Council.