Next UN head pledges to resolve North Korean nuclear crisis

Nov 10, 2006, 12:54 GMT

Seoul - South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, the designated secretary-general of the United Nations, said Friday he will use his new position to help resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis and prioritize reform of the United Nations.

   Ban delivered his intentions during a farewell speech to the National Assembly in Seoul. The 62-year-old career diplomat is due to resign later Friday from his Foreign Ministry post. He succeeds Kofi Annan as head of the UN on January 1, 2007.

   'I will utilize the best of my authority as general-secretary to help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully and settle peace on the Korean peninsula,' he said.

   Ban had previously said he plans to appoint a UN special envoy for North Korea to resolve the crisis surrounding the communist country's nuclear programme.

   The UN Security Council imposed a set of sanctions against North Korea after Pyongyang conducted an underground nuclear test last month.

   Ban said one of his most urgent tasks will be to re-establish confidence in the UN. He also promised to be dedicated to solving other global problems such as terrorism and poverty.        President Roh Moo Hyun has nominated his security adviser, Song Min Soon, 58, to succeed Ban as foreign minister.