Ban Ki-moon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ban Ki-moon
|
|
|---|---|
|
반기문
|
|
Ban in 2016
|
|
| 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations | |
| In office 1 January 2007 – 31 December 2016 |
|
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | Kofi Annan |
| Succeeded by | António Guterres |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade | |
| In office 17 January 2004 – 1 December 2006 |
|
| President | Roh Moo-hyun |
| Preceded by | Yoon Young-kwan |
| Succeeded by | Song Min-soon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1944 Insei, Chūseihoku-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse |
Yoo Soon-taek
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
반기문
|
| Hanja |
潘基文
|
| Revised Romanization | Ban Gimun |
| McCune–Reischauer | Pan Kimun |
| IPA | [panɡimun] |
Ban Ki-moon (Hangul: 반기문; born 13 June 1944) is a South Korean politician and diplomat. He was the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016. Before this important role, Ban was South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2004 to 2006.
When he first decided to run for Secretary-General, many thought he had little chance. But he worked hard, traveling to many countries on the United Nations Security Council. This helped him become the top candidate. On 13 October 2006, the United Nations General Assembly chose him as the eighth Secretary-General. He took over from Kofi Annan on 1 January 2007.
As Secretary-General, Ban worked on big changes for UN peacekeeping and how the UN hires people. He strongly spoke about global warming, talking to leaders like U.S. President George W. Bush. He also helped with the Darfur conflict, convincing Sudan's president to let peacekeepers in. Forbes magazine named him one of the world's most powerful people in 2013. In 2016, Foreign Policy magazine called him a "Global Thinker" for his work on the Paris Agreement about climate change.
After his term ended on 31 December 2016, António Guterres became the next Secretary-General. Ban was thought to be a possible candidate for the 2017 South Korean presidential election, but he decided not to run. He now works on global issues, including leading the International Olympic Committee's Ethics Commission and co-founding the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. He also helps lead the Global Green Growth Institute, which supports environmentally friendly economic growth.
Early Life and Education
Ban Ki-moon was born on 13 June 1944, in a small farming village in Eumseong County, Japanese Korea. His family later moved to Chungju, where he grew up. During the Korean War, his family had to hide in the mountains. After the war, they returned to Chungju. Ban remembers meeting American soldiers during this time.
In high school, Ban was a top student, especially in English. In 1962, he won an essay contest by the Red Cross. This allowed him to visit the United States and live with a family in San Francisco. During this trip, he met U.S. President John F. Kennedy. When asked what he wanted to be, Ban said, "I want to become a diplomat."
Ban studied international relations at Seoul National University, graduating in 1970. He then earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University in 1985. Besides his native Korean, Ban also speaks English and French. He has worked hard to improve his French, one of the main languages of the UN.
Diplomatic Career
After university, Ban scored highest on Korea's foreign service exam. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970. His first job overseas was in New Delhi, India. He later worked at the United Nations as First Secretary.
Ban held many important roles in the South Korean government. He was Director of the United Nations Division and Director of the International Organizations and Treaties Bureau. He also worked at the South Korean embassy in Washington, D. C. In 1992, he helped with talks to make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free.
In 1998, Ban became the Ambassador to Austria and Slovenia. He also led a group working on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. At one point, he made a mistake in a public letter about a treaty, which led to him being fired. But he soon recovered. In 2001, he became chief of staff to the president of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2003, he became a foreign policy advisor to President Roh Moo-hyun.
Foreign Minister of South Korea
In 2004, Ban became South Korea's foreign minister. He faced big challenges, like the kidnapping of a South Korean in Iraq and a deadly tsunami in 2004. He helped lead talks with North Korea about nuclear issues in 2005. As foreign minister, he also managed South Korea's trade and aid policies. This work helped him build relationships with diplomats who later supported his bid for Secretary-General.
United Nations Career
Campaign for Secretary-General: 2007
| 2007 Secretary-General candidates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | |
 |
Ban Ki-moon | South Korean foreign minister |
 |
Shashi Tharoor | Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for public information; from India |
 |
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga | President of Latvia |
 |
Ashraf Ghani | Chancellor of Kabul University, Afghanistan |
 |
Surakiart Sathirathai | Deputy prime minister of Thailand |
 |
Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad | Jordan's ambassador to the United Nations |
 |
Jayantha Dhanapala | Former Under-Secretary-General for disarmament; from Sri Lanka |
In February 2006, Ban announced he wanted to become the next UN Secretary-General. He was the first South Korean to try for this role. Over the next eight months, he visited all 15 countries on the Security Council. He won all four early polls held by the Security Council.
To become Secretary-General, Ban needed support from many countries. He also needed to avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members of the Security Council: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ban was popular in Washington. He also supported the International Criminal Court and wanted to talk directly with North Korea's leader.
Ban worked hard to improve his French. He admitted it wasn't perfect but promised to keep studying. Some news reports suggested South Korea used its economic power to help Ban win votes. Ban said these claims were "groundless" and that he was "a man of integrity."
In the final poll on 2 October, Ban received strong support. He was the only candidate not to get a "no" vote from a permanent member. On 9 October, the Security Council officially chose Ban. On 13 October, the General Assembly confirmed him as Secretary-General.
First Term as Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon became the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations on 23 January 2007. When he started, he faced many global challenges. These included nuclear issues in Iran and North Korea, conflicts in Darfur and the Middle East, and climate change.
Early in his term, Ban made some important appointments. He chose Asha-Rose Migiro from Tanzania as his Deputy Secretary-General. He also appointed many women to top jobs, fulfilling a promise he made during his campaign.
Reform Agenda
Ban wanted to make the UN more efficient. He suggested splitting the UN peacekeeping operation into two departments. He also wanted to combine the political affairs and disarmament departments. Some countries resisted his ideas at first. After talking with many UN ambassadors, Ban changed some of his plans. He still pushed for reforms like five-year appointments for all UN jobs and public financial disclosures. These changes were popular outside the New York office.
Key Issues
The Secretary-General can influence almost any global issue. Ban focused on several important topics.
Global Warming
Ban quickly made global warming a top priority. In January 2007, he urged U.S. President George W. Bush to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a speech, Ban said that climate change is as dangerous as war. He joined the People's Climate March in New York City in 2014. He also brought world leaders together for a UN Climate Summit to prepare for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015.
Middle East
In March 2007, Ban visited the Middle East. During a press conference in Baghdad, a mortar attack happened nearby. No one was hurt, but it showed the dangers in the region. Ban said he still hoped the UN could help Iraq. He visited many countries and met with leaders like the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.
Ban criticized Israel in 2008 for planning to build new homes in a West Bank settlement. In 2009, he called for an end to fighting in the Gaza Strip, criticizing both Israel and Hamas. During the 2011 Libyan Civil War, Ban pushed for peaceful solutions. He believed diplomacy was better than military action.
Darfur
Ban made Darfur a top humanitarian concern. He met with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir many times. He convinced Sudan to allow UN peacekeepers into the Darfur region. In July 2007, the UN Security Council approved sending 26,000 peacekeepers. This was a big step in dealing with the Darfur conflict.
Myanmar
In May 2008, Ban went to Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis caused huge damage. He helped organize a conference to get more donations for the country. Myanmar officials agreed to let the airport be used to deliver aid.
Second Term as Secretary-General
.jpg)
On 6 June 2011, Ban announced he would run for a second term as Secretary-General. He had strong support from the Security Council members. On 21 June, the General Assembly confirmed his nomination. His second five-year term started on 1 January 2012 and ended on 31 December 2016.
Key Issues
In his second term, Ban continued to focus on peace in the Middle East and equality.
Middle East
Ban continued to work on issues in the Arab world, especially after the Arab Spring. He spoke about "intolerance" and how countries were changing. He also expressed concern about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 2013, he admitted that the UN sometimes had a "biased attitude" towards Israel, but later clarified his statement. In 2016, he said that it is "human nature to react to occupation," which caused some debate.
Ukraine
In 2016, Ban spoke about Russia's role in global issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. Ukraine's UN envoy criticized his comments, saying Russia was causing the conflict in Ukraine.
LGBT Rights
Ban strongly supported LGBT rights. In 2012, he urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to fight homophobia. He said that homophobia would not be tolerated at the UN. He also stated that religion or culture should never justify denying basic human rights.
Syrian Conflict
Ban played a role in organizing and leading the Geneva II Conference on Syria, trying to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Humanitarian Action
Ban organized the world's first summit on humanitarian aid in 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. This event aimed to share knowledge and improve how humanitarian aid is given. He released a report called 'One Humanity, Shared Responsibility' to prepare for the summit.
Post-U.N. Work
In 2017, Ban co-founded the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens in Vienna, Austria, with former Austrian president Heinz Fischer. This group helps young people and women, working towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
He also joined The Elders, a human rights group started by Nelson Mandela. In 2018, he became a deputy chair of this group. Ban was elected to lead the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in 2018, an organization that promotes green economic growth. He has been re-elected several times to this role. Ban also supports the Green New Deal in the U.S., which aims to reduce planet-warming emissions and end poverty.
Personal Life
Family
Ban Ki-moon met his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, in high school in 1962. They married in 1971. They have three adult children: two daughters and a son. His elder daughter, Seon-yong, works for the Korea Foundation. His son, Woo-hyun, works for an investment firm in New York. His younger daughter, Hyun-hee, works for UNICEF in Nairobi.
After he became Secretary-General, Ban became a hero in his hometown. Thousands of people visited his village. Ban himself has not shared his religious beliefs publicly. His mother is Buddhist.
Honours and Awards
.jpg)
National
South Korea: Blue Stripes or 1st Class of the Order of Service Merit (1975, 1986, 2006).
Foreign
Austria: Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star (2001).
Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco.
Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun (2006).
Philippines: Grand Cross of the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Raja (2008).
Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (2016).
Russia: Order of Friendship (2016).
Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (2016).
Foreign Awards
- Austria: Grand Golden Order of the City of Vienna (2013).
Samoa: High Matai title as Prince Tapua Ban Ki-Moon of Suipapa Saleapaga (2014).- He was an Olympic Torch carrier for the 2016 Summer Olympics and an Olympic Flag carrier for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.
- He received the Arctic Circle Prize in 2016 for his work on climate diplomacy and the Paris Agreement.
- He received the James A. Van Fleet Award for his contributions to friendship between the United States and South Korea.
- He accepted the 2014 Tipperary International Peace Award in Ireland (2015).
Honorary Degrees
Ban Ki-moon has received many honorary degrees from universities around the world, recognizing his contributions to public service and global peace. Some of these include:
- Honorary Doctor of Public Service from University of Maryland, College Park (2016).
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola Marymount University (2016).
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from The University of Auckland (2014).
- Honorary Doctorates from Seoul National University (2008) and Harvard University (2016).
- Doctor Honoris Causa from the National University of San Marcos in Peru (2011).
- Honorary Doctor of Laws from Columbia University (2016).
- Doctor of Law (honoris causa) from the University of Cambridge (2016).
Books
- Resolved: Uniting Nations in a Divided World, New York: Columbia University Press, 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Ban Ki-moon para niños
- List of trips by Ban Ki-moon
