S. Korean FM calls for strengthening role of UNSC to respond better to int’l conflicts

South Korea's top diplomat has stressed the need to strengthen the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) by reforming it to respond more effectively to ongoing international conflicts, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made the call during a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New York on Wednesday (local time), the ministry said. Cho is currently in New York on a six-day trip to attend the U.N. General Assembly. Cho pointed out the UNSC's inability to function effectively, citing its lack of response to Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group. He also highlighted the Security Council's failure to adopt a resolution that would have extended the mandate of the expert panel charged with monitoring the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea because of Russia's veto. The panel's mandate expired on April 30. Cho also emphasized that reform is essential to make it more democratic, transparent, and inclusive by adding more non-permanent member states. The UNSC currently consists of 15 member states, including five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Source: Yonhap News Agency