S.Korean president meets UN chief, discusses North Korea, Ukraine issues

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula and vowed to continue efforts to bring peace to the region.

The two leaders met on Tuesday in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly as Yoon is expected to address the assembly session on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Yoon said he expected to continue working with the global body to prevent North Korea's "provocation" and improve the human rights situation in the neighboring country, his office said in a statement on Facebook.

“President Yoon emphasized the importance of global solidarity centered on the UN in this age of complex crisis and expressed his willingness to play a responsible role that meets our international standards,” it said.

He also shared his plan and his country’s commitment to work for international peace, including restoring peace in Ukraine, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term.

The UN chief also reaffirmed his commitment to cooperate for denuclearization and improving human rights in North Korea.

President Yoon also met with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and discussed bilateral relations.