Republic of Korea can serve as example to help other countries prosper, Ban says

The Republic of Korea should draw from its own experience of poverty and suffering to help other countries achieve sustainable development, good government and prosperity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.

In remarks delivered to the Korea Society in New York last night, the Secretary-General, a native of ROK, said, “Often when I travel around the world, Korea is held up as a model –especially in Africa.

“We, too, we Koreans knew hunger and poverty. We, too, struggled for freedom and genuine freedom and participation in democracy. With help from good friends – the United States and the United Nations –

we succeeded,” he said.
“Today, Korea has a special obligation – [a] moral and political obligation – to help poorer nations realize their own so called 'Korean dream'… a dream of development, good government, human rights, peace and prosperity.”

Noting the recent visit of the ROK President Lee Myung-bak to Africa and the country's adoption of some development initiatives at the latest G20 summit, Mr. Ban said: “That is why I have welcomed Korean support for Africa. That is why I and many others look to Korea for leadership on sustainable development – the UN's number one priority in the years ahead.”