Korea trying to boost presence in int`l organizations

South Korea has been making intensive efforts to play an important role in international organizations since the start of the new year.

The nation and individuals have stood as candidates for major posts at four international agencies this year, and Korea also is bidding to become a director country or committee country at nine of them.

South Korea is certain to take up the post of chair country of the 56th United National General Assembly (UNGA) this year, and is deliberating on who should be recommended as the candidate to become the first Korean chairman of the UNGA. The chairman`s term begins in September.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Friday, Senior Judge Kwon O-Gon of Taegu Appellate Court was recommended to be one of the judges on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), for which the UNGA will hold an election on March 14. Prof. Jee Jung-Il of College of Law at Hanyang University also stood as a candidate for membership in the International Law Commission (ILC), which will choose new members in October.

A total of 26 candidates, including incumbent judges, have applied for the 14 posts on the ICTY.

The government is also planning to bid for the status of member country of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) and U.N. Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW), which would give it greater influence on human rights and women¡¯s affairs in the international community.

The government is already represented in about 30 international apparatuses, either as director or member country. It is now focused on becoming a director or member country of nine other groups, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and U.N. Environmental Program (UNEP).

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com