Chief of UN refugee agency heading to Japan and Korea

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, is set to embark tomorrow on a six-day mission to South Korea and Japan, where he is expected to meet with senior government officials.

Mr. Lubbers will spend two days in South Korea, where he is scheduled to meet several government officials, including President Roh Moo-Hyun, as well as members of the business community.

Mr. Lubbers is expected to express his gratitude to the country for its continuing support for UNHCR. Last year, South Korea provided nearly $2 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the agency.

The High Commissioner then travels to Japan on Tuesday for the second leg of his mission. He is expected to join former UNHCR chief Sadako Ogata and Japanese and African officials at an International Symposium on Refugees in Africa on 19 and 20 June for World Refugee Day observances.