In
January 2007, South Korean diplomat, Ban Ki-moon became the 8th United Nations
Secretary-General. Leading up to his election by the UN Security Council, many
saw his diplomatic skills of being able to get along with all sides as his strongest
asset. Prior to his role as UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon Ban served in many
positions of South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1970, including Ambassador
to Austria and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ban Ki-moon was inspired to be a diplomat
when, as a high school foreign exchange student in California, he won a a trip
to Washington DC to meet President John F. Kennedy in an English-speaking contest
sponsored by the Red Cross.
