By Honorary Reporter Alaa Atef Ebada from Egypt

The United Nations General Assembly is not generally known for attracting widespread interest. On Sept. 20, however, the event took over the internet as more than a million people tuned in and flooded the comments section with purple hearts when BTS took to the podium as special envoy for President Moon Jae-in.

President Moon Jae-in on Sept. 21 gives a speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. (Cheong Wa Dae Facebook)

President Moon decided to bring the group to the 76th assembly in New York. And in his fifth and last speech of his term to the session, he urged the two Koreas, the U.S. and China to formally end the Korean War and quickly resume dialogue. He also pledged to help solve urgent global problems such as "inclusive recovery" from the coronavirus pandemic. 

BTS members on Sept. 20 speak at the SDG Moment on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. (Cheong Wa Dae Facebook)

After his speech, the seven BTS members spoke of how they want their generation to be remembered as the "welcoming generation" rather than one of missed opportunities due to the pandemic. 

Farhan Aziz Haq, deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in an email interview on the visit to the assembly by the president and BTS, "The Secretary-General met with President Moon Jae-in this week at the UN and he expressed hope that the parties would resume dialogue towards sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Secretary-General thanked the Republic of Korea for its contribution to global issues, including climate change and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We value the contribution of BTS as they spoke out and performed on behalf of the SDG Moment."

On the growing influence of the K-pop sensation and its appointment at the world body's annual session, Haq said, "We appreciate how BTS, in its new role, can draw attention to the goals of the UN and the values of the UN Charter."

"It's clear that BTS has already drawn the attention of many people around the world and helped make the Monday SDG Moment a great success."

Hordes of BTS fans posted public tweets in response to #YouthToday #YourStories hashtags.

On Sept. 13, BTS announced the theme of the group's speech #YouthToday, on which the deputy spokesperson said, "It was developed in a collaborative process." 

BTS has spoken at the U.N. several times, and on the group's influence and U.N. goals, Haq said, "The difference this time was their focus on SDGs and their implementation, which is crucial to improving lives around the world."

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.