Top UN political officer discusses Korean peninsula, Darfur, other issues in Seoul

Wrapping up his three-nation trip to Asia, the top United Nations political officer today met with the Republic of Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister to discuss developments on the Korean peninsula, the situation in Sudan’s strife-torn Darfur region and other issues.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari met with Vice Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Lee Kyu-Hyung after arriving in the Republic of Korea from Japan. Earlier in the week, he held discussions with Chinese officials in Beijing.

The focus of their talks was the “situation on the Korean Peninsula, and the importance for all parties to return to the framework of the six-party talks,” a spokesman said, referring to discussions involving both the Republic and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), along with Japan, China, the Russian Federation and the United States, seeking a resolution to the DPRK’s nuclear programme.

“They also discussed the situations in Darfur, Myanmar and the Middle East. In particular, Mr. Gambari thanked Vice Minister Lee for the Republic of Korea’s continued support to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), where the Republic of Korea provides troops to protect the UN compound in Erbil.”

Mr. Gambari also met with African representatives living in Seoul to discuss Korea’s initiatives to support development in Africa and the situation in Darfur.