‘Global solidarity needed to address global challenges’

As part of CNN’s week of programming for i-List South Korea, CNN’s Anna Coren sits down with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is in Seoul for the G20 Summit.

Question: We are in your home city of Seoul for the G20. Korea is the first Asian nation to be hosting this event. You’ve held the Olympics, the World Cup before. But from the people I’ve spoken to, there seems to be a great deal of pride attached to the G20. Why is this so important?

Answer: This is a very good opportunity, a moment for Koreans to be proud of themselves. What they are going to do, rather than now looking at what they have achieved, Korea is on the rise and going global. I hope, under the chairmanship of Korea, this G20 will be able to not only address the imminent financial crisis, but also address the challenges of many poor and vulnerable people.

There has been criticism of you during your term in office. You are seeking re-election next year. Some say that you haven’t made an impact in international affairs and that the United Nations has weakened as an organization. What is your response to that criticism?

And we are now living in an era of multiple crises, which requires multiple solutions through global solidarity. And that’s why I need the strong support. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to address these global challenges.

Because your style is very different to that of your predecessor, Kofi Annan. You prefer quiet diplomacy. Do you think that your style is often misinterpreted?

Every leader, everybody has a different style. But there should be no misunderstanding that one style, like quiet diplomacy or open diplomacy, is the only one. Sometimes, when you are dealing with very sensitive and very difficult type of leaders, this one-on-one personal, private talks, is much more powerful and much more effective. That’s what I have been doing. I’m employing all different kinds of diplomatic skills. That’s what I am doing.

You were foreign minister of your country for many years. And, obviously, North Korea was top of that agenda. The situation between the two Koreas has deteriorated dramatically, obviously with the sinking of the South Korean warship back in March. How do you see relations improving?

I sincerely hope that, first of all, this bilateral relationship should improve through dialogue. A recent family reunion was a very good one and moving one. I hope all this kind of atmosphere will help improve the relationship. At the same time, I would urge again, the authorities of DPRK to return to six party talks as soon as possible.

So, final question. You have held important roles here in Korea, certainly, in the past. Post-UN, do you see yourself returning to public office here?

I’m now working as the Secretary General of the United Nations. My mandate, my challenges and my tests are huge. Still, you know, I’m in the first term of my job and I’m going to devote wholly my time and energy and my commitment to discharge all the mandates and challenges comprising peace and security, development and human rights. That’s my job and I’m going to continue it.