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S. Korean elected to head UN’s IMO for first time

June 30, 2015
Shown is a file photo of Lim Ki-tack, who was elected as the new secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on June 30, 2015. (Yonhap)

Shown is a file photo of Lim Ki-tack, who was elected as the new secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on June 30, 2015. (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — A South Korean candidate was elected for the first time to head the United Nations maritime body, diplomatic sources said Wednesday, with his four-year term set to kick off in 2016.

Lim Ki-tack, president of Busan Port Authority, which operates the port facilities in South Korea’s second largest city, was elected to head the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after five rounds of elections.

The International Maritime Organization is the leading global authority on safety, security and environmental issues in the international shipping industry. It is tasked with creating a regulatory framework for international shipping.

“I first will take on my role to seek a healthy growth of the world’s marine industry and set rules as the head of a U.N. organization,” Lim said.

“I also plan to expand South Korea’s role in the international maritime realm and foster the country’s global reputation and its economy,” Lim added. “I will do my job as a middle man so that the South Korean government and the world can work together.”

Lim spent 28 years working for various maritime-related organizations, which includes the South Korean embassy in Britain.

Lim has also served in multiple positions in and outside the IMO, including as chairman of the IMO’s Flag State Implementation Sub-Committee from 2002-2005.

The secretary-general was chosen in a secret ballot among the IMO’s 40 council members.

South Korea joined the IMO in 1962, while North Korea became a member in 1986.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye delivered a message of “sincere congratulations” shortly after the announcement.

“It is significant that a South Korean was elected to head an international maritime organization that manages international rules on the marine and shipbuilding industries for the first time,” Park said through a release.

“We hope (Lim) will take on a greater role as a global leader to protect the maritime security and environment,” she added.

It marks the first time for a South Korean to head a United Nations arm since Lee Jong-wook served his term as the director-general of the World Health Organization between 2003 and 2006.

Other candidate countries were Denmark, Cyprus, Russia, Kenya and the Philippines. Lim will replace the incumbent Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu.