Annan selects Korean diplomat as Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today that he has chosen the Korean diplomat Kyung-wha Kang to serve as Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ms. Kang, who has been appointed at the Assistant Secretary-General level, will succeed Pakistan’s Mehr Khan Williams as Deputy High Commissioner at the end of this year.

Currently Director-General of International Organization at the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Kang has previously worked at her country’s mission to the UN, where she chaired the Commission on the Status of Women last year. She also worked as a journalist and lecturer before joining the Korean foreign service.

In a statement issued in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour welcomed Ms. Kang’s appointment.

“I am convinced that with her extensive experience and demonstrated dedication to human rights, and in particular women’s human rights, Ms. Kang will play a key role as OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) continues implementing the strategic vision outlined in its Plan of Action and Strategic Management Plan, a roadmap for the future of our Office that Mehr Khan was so instrumental in charting,” Ms. Arbour’s statement read.