Oh Joon, the permanent representative of the Republic of Korea at the United Nation, has become the new president of the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Ambassador Oh was officially elected to his new position at U.N. headquarters in New York on July 24. He will chair the council for one year, from July 2015 through to July 2016. The ECOSOC is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as on the implementation of development goals that have been agreed upon internationally.

During his inauguration ceremony, Oh told the audience a story about two towns. Here is his story.

"People living in Town A are worried about how to feed their family every day. If someone in their family is sick, they have to go find a friend who can help them. They have no health insurance and can't afford to pay any medical costs.

"In Town B, people are worried about adult diseases because of their over consumption of meats and high-fat food. They make every effort to give their child the best educational opportunities, whether at home or overseas. If a family member is sick, they search out a renowned doctor, even if the cost is beyond their insurance coverage.

"I have lived in both Town A and Town B. I didn't move from A to B. My hometown, Korea, was Town A, but has turned into Town B. We call it development. People in Town B aren't necessarily happier than people in Town A. However, one thing that I learned from my time of poverty is that it's hard to feel happiness when you're starving. You can't feel gratitude for society when your child is sick and you can't do anything for the child," he continued.

"I believe that the development that my country experienced can happen anywhere in the world. The ECOSOC will support bringing economic and social development to regions where they are in need," Oh stressed.

By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Yonhap News
slee27@korea.kr