1. President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Song Sang-hyun was re-elected to serve a second term at a meeting of the Judicial Divisions of the ICC held in the Hague, Netherlands, on March 11.

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- The ICC President, whose term lasts three years, may be re-elected to serve only one more term.

2. The Judicial Divisions of the ICC, comprised of a total of 18 judges, six of which are replaced every three years, convenes a meeting to elect the President when they are re-organized. President Song, who has served as one of the judges of the ICC since 2003, was first elected to the post on March 11, 2009. Re-elected President of the ICC, he will be serving three more years, six in total, as such.

3. President Song’s re-election carries great significance in that his continued presidency at the ICC, the leading international judicial body, will contribute to enhancing the Republic of Korea’s international standing. It is also expected to be highly conducive to informing the international community of the ROK’s willingness and contribution to the implementation of universal norms, including those involving human rights and international criminal justice.

4. The ICC is a permanent court with 120 member states and some 700 regular employees. Despite its short history of less than 10 years since its launch, the ICC has drawn international attention by handling internationally significant cases, including those concerning Libya, Kenya and Sudan. It is also conducting a preliminary investigation into the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.

                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation