UN chief to visit S. Korea early next month

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon plans to
visit South Korea early next month for a nine-day holiday in his home country
after passing the midway point of his first five-year term, officials here said
Monday.
"Secretary General Ban is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Aug. 9 for a
holiday," a foreign ministry official said. "He will engage in various unofficial
activities during his nine-day stay." The U.N. gives a home leave for its head
when he or she passes the midpoint of a term.
It would mark the second time for the former South Korean foreign minister to
travel to his homeland since taking the job as the world's top diplomat in
January 2007. He made the previous trip here last July.
During his upcoming trip, Ban plans to attend a meeting of the World Federation
of U.N. Associations, a non-governmental organization which connects U.N.-related
people and agencies in more than 100 member states.
Ban will also attend an international conference on North Korea and other
regional issues, the 5th Jeju Peace Forum, to be held in the middle of next month
on the southern resort island.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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