President Lee Jae-myung met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 22, local time, to emphasize that "peace without the need for conflict is the most certain security," while requesting the UN's cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
During his visit to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, President Lee exchanged views with Guterres on South Korea-UN cooperation and issues related to the Korean Peninsula.
This meeting marks the third encounter between the two leaders, following discussions during the G7 summit in June last year and another meeting at the UN General Assembly in September of the same year.
President Lee explained that the South Korean government is working to create a Korean Peninsula where the North and South can coexist peacefully and grow together. He expressed hope for active communication and cooperation with the UN in this process.
Guterres stated, "I actively support the South Korean government's diplomatic policies, especially those aimed at peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added that the UN will continue to seek ways to assist in ensuring the success of these efforts.
President Lee praised Guterres's leadership in upholding the principles of the UN Charter and international law over the past decade, noting that the reforms Guterres has pursued within the UN have yielded visible results.
He remarked, "The Republic of Korea, which has achieved industrialization and democratization with the support of the UN, is a living testament to the theme of this year's UN General Assembly, 'Delivering Results for All,'" and committed to continuing efforts to ensure that more people can experience the UN's achievements.
Guterres commended South Korea's constructive contributions to international peace and security, sustainable development, and climate crisis response. He emphasized that the role of middle powers like South Korea is increasingly important in a time of deepening divisions and conflicts within the international community.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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