South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon has formally registered at the UN as a candidate for the UN secretary-general, the country's Foreign Ministry confirmed today.

 

South Korea's mission to the UN submitted the application form to the chairman of the UN Security Council in New York on Thursday, an official of the ministry said.

 

The UN Security Council will conduct an informal voting next week to select a candidate to be recommended for approval at the UN General Assembly. The final results of the election will come out as early as September.

 

The secretary-general is appointed by the 191-nation General Assembly on the recommendation of the UN Security Council. A candidate needs the approval of nine of the 15 council members and can be vetoed by any of the five permanent member states.

 

Ban, 62, announced his intention to work as the UN chief on February 14 with full supports of his government.

 

Local reports said earlier that South Korea has gained supports from at least 71 of the total of 191 UN member states.

 

Ban is the fourth Asian candidate to register with the UN for the candidacy following Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala and Indian nominee Shashi Tharoor.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2006)