Born in 1944 in Eumseong County, South Korea, Ban Ki-moon navigated a long career in diplomacy that culminated in his leadership of the United Nations. Before assuming his role as the eighth Secretary-General, he served as the Foreign Minister of South Korea, where he effectively built international support for his candidacy through extensive personal outreach to Security Council members.
Formative Years and Education
Growing up in Chungju after his family fled their home during the Korean War, Ban developed an early interest in foreign affairs. He attended Chungju High School, where he excelled in English. A 1962 essay contest sponsored by the Red Cross earned him a trip to the United States, providing an opportunity to meet President John F. Kennedy. Ban later pursued academic training at Seoul National University, graduating in 1970, and completed a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1985.
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Ban joined the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970 after earning the highest score on the national foreign service exam. His early assignments included a post in New Delhi, India, followed by a tenure as First Secretary of the South Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations. Over the following decades, he held significant roles including Deputy Minister for Policy Planning and National Security Advisor. His career encountered a setback in 2001 when he was removed from his position as Ambassador to Austria following a diplomatic controversy regarding the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
United Nations Leadership
Elected as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations in October 2006, Ban served two terms from 2007 to 2017. His tenure focused on international crises and climate change. He engaged frequently with U.S. President George W. Bush on environmental policy and worked to facilitate the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Sudan during the Darfur conflict. He was succeeded by António Guterres on 1 January 2017.
Post-UN Engagements
Following his departure from the United Nations, Ban transitioned into several advisory and academic roles. In 2017, he became the chairperson of the Ethics Commission for the International Olympic Committee and co-founded the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens. He also served as the president of the Assembly and chair of the council for the Global Green Growth Institute beginning in 2018. His current professional activities include serving as a Distinguished Chair Professor at Yonsei University's Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment.
Fast facts
- Born: 1944, Eumseong County
- United Nations Secretary-General: 2007-2017
- Foreign Minister of South Korea: 2004-2006
- Education: Seoul National University and Harvard University
- Languages: Korean, English, French
- Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism
- Notable Membership: The Elders
- Chairperson of IOC Ethics Commission: 2017
Questions readers ask
What was Ban Ki-moon's position before the UN?
He served as the Foreign Minister of South Korea from 2004 to 2006.
Which international organizations has he led since 2017?
He has chaired the International Olympic Committee's Ethics Commission and the Global Green Growth Institute.
