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Next U.N. chief set to take up N. Korea issue
South Korean could face an early challenge with the nuclear threat

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Ban Ki-moon, the soft-spoken South Korean foreign minister, has spent much of his 35-year career steering his country between its biggest ally, the United States, and its biggest threat, North Korea. Now, as his confirmation as the next U.N. secretary-general nears, he is preparing to take on the North Korea portfolio on behalf of the world.

With reports of North Korea testing a nuclear weapon, the next secretary-general could face an early challenge to help defuse a standoff and coax North Korea to return to the bargaining table. He would also be called on to mend strained relations with the United States, the largest donor to the United Nations, which have deteriorated with the war in Iraq.

Ban would become the second Asian to lead the United Nations, at a time when China's global influence is rising, and Japan — Asia's largest economic power — wants to raise its international profile by gaining a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

The last Asian secretary-general was U Thant of Burma, the nation now called Myanmar, who served from 1961 to 1971.

So far, Ban has been characteristically reserved about revealing what he might do as secretary-general. He has revealed, though, that he would try to play a more vocal role than the current secretary-general, Kofi Annan, in trying to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear program. He has also said he may depart from his predecessor's path by engaging North Korea in personal diplomacy.

"I plan to go to North Korea as soon as I get the chance," Ban, who is 62, was quoted as saying last Tuesday by the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. "Secretary-General Kofi Annan has never visited North Korea during his 10-year term."

A seasoned diplomat
The selection of Ban to lead the United Nations would place a seasoned diplomat at the helm of a sprawling organization with an annual budget of $5 billion and a presence in every corner of the globe, including 92,000 blue-helmeted peacekeepers, according to the latest figures from Jean-Marie Guehenno, undersecretary-general for peacekeeping.

Ban would also take over an organization reeling from criticism over mismanagement of the oil-for-food program in Iraq, reported sexual misconduct by peacekeepers and accusations of opaque and inefficient financial practices.

But the biggest challenge Ban may face as secretary-general could be his own personality. While no one doubts his credentials, some have questioned whether his quiet, low-key manner is suited to the job. Known as a cautious consensus-builder, Ban would be taking a post with few formal powers, but one that has best served as a bully pulpit for swaying global public opinion.

"Personality is key for the success of any secretary-general," said Yasuhiko Yoshida, a former U.N. official who is now a professor of international relations at Osaka University of Economics and Law. "He must have a strong personality that is persuasive, to draw world attention to issues."

In a recent interview, Ban bristled at suggestions that he may be too mild-mannered to bring about the necessary change at the United Nations. He defended his preference for building consensus, saying when he wants to criticize something, he first tries to determine whether "7 out of 10 people" agree with him. "Then I go and make my point very clearly," he said, "because I know I am right."

Having won the approval of the five permanent members of the Security Council last week, Ban appears certain to replace Annan of Ghana, who will step down as secretary-general at the end of this year.

Six other candidates withdrew their names last week to clear the way for the formal selection of Ban by the Council today.