U.N. Human Right Council Elects South Korean Diplomat Choi Kyong Lim As President Of The International Organization

South Korea was chosen to head the United Nations Human Right Council next year. This was after the international organization elected South Korean diplomat Choi Kyong Lim to be the president of the council for the yearly board of directors meeting that will be held in Geneva.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry reportedly made the announcement of the selection Monday. Korea Times reported Tuesday that the South Korean will begin his stern in January and will replace Germany's Joachim Rucker.

The election of Choi made him the first South Korean elected to be the head of UN organization that deals with human-related concerns.

"It will be the first time we assume the presidency of an international human rights organization since the foundation of our government in 1948," a ministry official says, as noted by Yonhap News Agency Monday. "We are seen by the international community as a country that has made large achievements in democracy and the expansion of human rights."

The official continues, "Also, over the past 10 years, we have served on the council three times and as we serve a fourth time we are seen as having contributed to the promotion of human rights around the world."

The foreign ministry also said in a dispatch that "the UN's decision shows the international community highly values South Korea's rapid democratization and improvement of human rights conditions."

Reports have revealed that the South Korean diplomat will chair a number of council meetings which will be participated by the 47 member states and civic groups of the UNHRC, as well as non-profit groups.

Further reports have revealed that Choi is expected to accomplish the Universal Periodic review.

"With Choi being elected, the government will bolster its efforts to actively take a part in the UN-led campaign to promote human rights worldwide," the ministry says.