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About the Ministry
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Overview
UN
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The Republic of Korea (ROK), established in 1948, was recognized by the United Nations through the General Assembly Resolution 195. The United Nations played a key role in the birth of the Republic of Korea through missions such as monitoring the first general election and other reconstruction programs.
When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the UN intervened by sending armed forces mandated by the Security Council Resolution 82. It was the first undertaking of its kind in the history of the UN. Almost 70 years after the Korean armistice, the UN Command still maintains its presence on the Korean Peninsula.
Since the armistice of 1953, the Korean issue had been one of the most controversial subjects of debate between the West and the pro-Soviet blocks at the UN. The Republic of Korea's applications to become a member of the UN were blocked. It was only in 1991 that both the ROK and the DPRK were simultaneously admitted to the UN as the influence of the Cold War on international politics receded.
Since its admission to the UN, the Republic of Korea has made significant contributions to the UN through peacekeeping operations, development assistance and the promotion of human rights. At the Millennium Summit, held in New York in September 2000, the Co-Chairpersons of the Summit adopted a special statement welcoming the inter-Korean summit and encouraging its follow-up measures. In 2000 and 2007, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on "Peace, Security and Unification on the Korean Peninsula," welcoming and supporting the inter-Korean summits. In 2018, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea jointly circulated the Panmunjom Declaration, signed at the inter-Korean summit held in April 2018, as a document of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The Republic of Korea remains firm in its goal of establishing permanent peace on the peninsula and contributing to the stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.
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International Peace and Security
The non-permanent membership of the Republic of Korea to the Security Council in 1996-1997 has renewed the Korean government's motivation to take on a more proactive role in promoting international peace and security. During its membership, the Republic of Korea focused on enhancing the Council's transparency, providing humanitarian assistance to refugees, and expanding the Council's capacity for resolving regional conflicts. As the President of the Council for May 1997, the Republic of Korea initiated an open debate on the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations, adopted four resolutions (1107-1110), and issued eight presidential statements (S/PRST/1997/25-32).
The Republic of Korea served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2013-2014 term, and played a constructive role as a responsible member by responding to challenges to international peace and security with principle and resolve. During the Republic of Korea’s presidency in February 2013, the Security Council adopted three resolutions (2090-2092), and issued two presidential statements (S/PRST/2013/2-3). During its presidency in May 2014, the Security Council adopted five resolutions (2154-2158), and issued four presidential statements (S/PRST/2014/7-10).
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Disarmament and Non-proliferation Issues
The Republic of Korea has actively participated in international disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and multilateral export control. The Korean government has acceded and faithfully complied with all major international instruments, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT), the Chemical Weapons Convention(CWC), the Biological Weapons Convention(BWC) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT).
The Korean government is of the view that the international community should continue to make efforts to develop appropriate responses to ensure universal adherence to and full compliance with all agreements related to eliminating weapons of mass destruction in a more vigorous and comprehensive manner.
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Human Rights
The Republic of Korea believes that international cooperation for the promotion of human rights and democracy should be strengthened. It has already ratified the core international human rights conventions and has signed newly established human rights instruments. Major human rights instruments that were signed or ratified by the ROK are as follows:
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Peacekeeping Operations
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1. UN Peacekeeping Operations
In order to achieve international peace and security, the UN Peacekeeping Operations(PKO) carry out the following activities in countries that are in the process of restoring peace after the cessation of hostilities: observation of the ceasefire, disarmament, prevention of dispute recurrence, maintenance of public security and safety, support for post-war reconstruction, and promotion of human rights and the rule of law.
The mandate for peacekeeping operations is not formally stipulated in the UN Charter. Nonetheless, peacekeeping operations have begun to assume an important function in establishing the post-Cold War international order and it is understood as belonging to a realm halfway between Chapter 6 (Pacific Settlement of Disputes) and Chapter 7 (Action With Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Agression) of the UN Charter, thereby giving rise to the term "Chapter 6.5."
Since its first activity in Palestine in 1948 to monitor the region's ceasefire status, a total of 71 PKO missions have been implemented, joined by more than a million participants. As of November 2023, the total number of personnel serving in 11 peacekeeping operations is 66,844 which includes troops, civilian personnel and police.
Military forces dispatched for peacekeeping operations are called Peacekeeping Forces (PKF), which are distinct from Multinational Forces (MNF).
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2. The Government's Stance
UN Peacekeeping Operations are integral to the maintenance of international peace and security. The Korean government is aware of the importance of peacekeeping operations and is making the effort to further contribute to the international community including through increased participation in various peacekeeping activities.
Domestically, the "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Participation Act" was enacted in 2010 in a bid to promote Korea's prompt participation in UN peacekeeping operations. This law allows the Korean government and the UN to establish provisional agreements on matters related to the deployment of peacekeepers prior to the approval of the National Assembly.
Recognizing the importance of UN peacekeeping operations in maintaining international peace and security, the Korean government will continue to actively participate in peacekeeping missions and strive to make further contributions to the PKO.
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3. Current Deployment Status
As of March 2024, a total of 571 Korean military and police officers have been deployed to 6 different PKO missions.
Current Deployment Status Mission Country(Region) Mandates Personnel UNMOGIP India and Pakistan Observing the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir 6 Experts on Mission UNMISS South Sudan Protecting civilians, monitoring human rights & supporting implementation of cessation of hostilities agreement 276 Troops, 3 Experts on Mission, 7 Staff Officer UNIFIL Lebanon Monitoring cessation of hostilities and helping ensure humanitarian access to civilian population 269 Troops, 4 Staff Officer MINURSO Western Sahara Monitoring the ceasefire 3 Experts on Mission UNDOF Golan Supervising ceasefire and disengagement agreement 1 Experts on Mission UNTSO Middle East Helping to bring stability in the Middle East 2 Experts on Mission
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