Introduction

     The history of Korea dates back more than 4,000 years. However, since the end of World War II, it has been divided into two States and this division has characterized its recent history. The Republic of Korea was established in 1948 and its Government was recognized by the United Nations through General Assembly resolution 195. The United Nations played a key role in the birth of the Republic of Korea through such missions as monitoring the first general election and other reconstruction programs. 

     When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, the United Nations intervened, under Security Council resolution 82, by sending armed forces to repel the Communists' aggression. It was the first undertaking of its kind in the history of the United Nations. Now, almost 50 years after the Korean armistice, a UN command is still present on the Korean Peninsula. 

     Since the armistice of 1953, the Korean issue had been one of the most controversial subjects of debate between the Western and pro-Soviet blocks at the United Nations. Applications by the Republic of Korea to become a member of the United Nations were blocked. In 1975, this controversy was made evident by the passage of two conflicting resolutions in the General Assembly: one representing South Korea's position and the other representing that of North Korea. Thereafter, the Korean issue was excluded from the UN agenda.

     It was only in 1991 that both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea were simultaneously admitted to the United Nations as the Cold War structure of global politics receded.

     Today, the economy of the Republic of Korea is the 13th largest in the world, enabling the country to emerge as an important member of the United Nations. The Republic of Korea is also the 11th largest contributor to the United Nations' annual budget. In addition, as one of the leading democracies, it is making significant contributions to the work of the United Nations through peacekeeping operations, development and the promotion of human rights. 

     The firm pledge of the Republic of Korea to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula has recently materialized with the first inter-Korean summit that took place in June 2000. As a divided country under an armistice, the Republic of Korea made strenuous efforts to bring stability and permanent peace to the peninsula. This historic opening of inter-Korean relations received a warm welcome and strong support from the international community. 

     The United Nations, in particular, recognized these efforts toward peace and reconciliation during the Millennium Summit of the United Nations, held in New York in early September 2000, through the adoption by the Co-Chairpersons of the Summit of a special statement welcoming the inter-Korean summit and encouraging its follow-up measures. On 31 October 2000, the General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled "Peace, Security and Unification on the Korean Peninsula," co-sponsored by 157 countries, including both Koreas, encouraging the peace process unfolding on the Korean peninsula. The Republic of Korea remains firm in its goal of establishing permanent peace on the peninsula and contributing to the stability and prosperity of the region and beyond.