The Secretary-General today arrived in Seoul, in the Republic of Korea. This is his first visit to his home country since becoming Secretary-General.
He met today with Korean peacekeepers who had either served or will be serving with the United Nations in Lebanon. He commended them on their global outlook and their commitments to serve not just their own national interests, but those of the world. The Secretary-General also met with Yi So-yeon, a Korean astronaut who recently carried the United Nations flag into outer space. She presented him with that flag as well as photos of it in space. The Secretary-General, for his part, praised the important role that women are playing in all fields of work in the Republic of Korea and throughout the world. The Secretary-General then met with United Nations staff, noting the sacrifices they make to serve the international community, before heading to Seoul National University to accept an honorary degree. At the University, the Secretary-General said that now was the time to help others follow the Republic of Korea’s path to prosperity, democracy and respect for human rights. He added that Koreans can and must play a larger role in addressing the pressing challenges on the global agenda, given their economic potential, scientific and technological advances. We should have his full statement later this afternoon. The Secretary-General also made remarks to the United Nations Association of the Republic of Korea, which we should also have later today, before attending a private dinner with the Korean Foreign Minister.
seen at 12:00, 3 July
in
Whitehouse Press Briefings.
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