Readout of the Secretary-General's telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Korea

The Secretary-General and President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea (ROK) exchanged New Year's greetings today. The Secretary-General congratulated President Lee and the people of the ROK on the successful G20 Summit in Seoul and the country's continued economic and social development in 2010. He also commended the ROK's active contribution to the work of the United Nations, including through an increase in overseas development assistance and greater participation in peace operations, as well as to global efforts to address climate change and promote green growth.

They discussed the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula. In this context, the Secretary-General said he appreciated President Lee's commitment to resolving the DPRK nuclear problem through the Six-Party Talks. The Secretary-General reaffirmed his readiness to provide any assistance, as appropriate, in facilitating peace and stability in the region in close coordination with the concerned countries. The Secretary-General looked forward to the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit to be hosted by the ROK, an event which would significantly contribute to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.