Ban Ki-moon Applies for Top UN Post
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By Lee Jin-woo
July 14, 2006
The Korea Times
Original Source: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200607/kt2006071418095668040.htm
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon has formally registered at the United Nations as a candidate to succeed outgoing chief of the international organization Kofi Annan, as it is expected to begin the selection process next week, foreign ministry officials said Friday. 
The application form was submitted to the chairman of the U.N. Security Council through South Korea’s mission to the U.N. Thursday. 
Earlier this year, Ban announced his bid to succeed Annan, who is scheduled to retire at the end of this year. 
``A Korean secretary-general can bring together the developed, wealthy countries like the United States and the developing, poor countries like those in Africa,’’ Ban said in February while unveiling his ambition for the top U.N. job. 
The council will conduct a straw poll, or informal voting, next week to select a candidate to be recommended for approval at the U.N. General Assembly, sources said. 
The winner is expected to be decided as early as September, they added.
A candidate is required to receive at least nine votes from the 15-member council, including no veto from a permanent member.
The South Korean minister is the fourth Asian candidate to register with the U.N. for the candidacy following Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Sri Lanka’s Jayantha Dhanapala and Indian nominee Shashi Tharoor. 
One of the Asian candidates will likely become the next head of the U.N. in accordance with a geographical rotation for the post. 
Talking to a group of foreign journalists earlier this week, U.S. President George W. Bush expressed his support for an Asian candidate.
``As I understand it, traditionally regions rotate, and we are really looking in the Far East right now to be the secretary-general,’’ he said. 

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