Broad discussions among members and recognition of democracy and representation are the keys to resolve the problem in the UN reform, said a South Korean official on Thursday. 

In a written reply to Xinhua's questions over the UN reform, Oh Joon, an official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry responsible for international organization, made the above remarks.

"Our government holds the reform of the UN should strengthen the function of the UN and make it the core of an effective multilateral system, which can make contribution to the international peace, security and prosperity," said Oh.

The South Korean official also voiced his government's opposition to forced voting on specific resolution about the expansion of the UN Security Council.

The South Korean official underscored the UN's reform should respect "the value of multilateralism" and ensure that states can coexist.

"As viewed from above stance, South Korean government welcomed the UN reform report submitted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in March 21. We hope the current session of the General Assembly can carefully discuss the report," said Oh.

However, Oh stressed again "broad discussions" among UN members is the principle that the UN reform should abide by.

"It will be a lethal damage to the multilateralism of the UN, if a specific resolution without unanimous agreement is brought under forced vote," said Oh.

Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, known as the Group of Four or G-4, circulated a draft resolution on May 16 proposing giving the four countries permanent seats in the Security Council along with two African countries.

The G-4 distributed on Wednesday a new draft resolution on the Security Council's expansion, under which new permanent members would not exercise the right of veto until 2020 at earliest.

But the four countries still want the 59th General Assembly to adopt a framework resolution in this June that would add six new permanent members and four new nonpermanent seats to the Security Council.

The South Korean official also made clear that his government prefers expansion on nonpermanent seats in the Security Council, rather than the expansion of permanent seats in it.

"The Security Council is an institution that represents all the UN members in safeguarding international peace and security," Oh said. "From this point of view, South Korea supports electing 10 nonpermanent members in the body."

The South Korean diplomat explained that Seoul has been holding that the expansion of the Security Council should attach importance to the promotion of "democracy, representation and effectiveness."

"More countries could participate in UN affairs by the increasing of non-permanent members in the Security Council," said Oh.

Oh also criticized the G-4 for their draft of resolution had created confrontation in the UN.

The G-4's plan for the council's expansion has been strongly opposed by Italy, Pakistan, Mexico, South Korea and scores of other countries, which call for an increase of nonpermanent members of the council, from 10 to 20, and want a broad consensus on the issue of such an enlargement.

Oh said South Korea hopes the UN General Assembly not to approve the resolution submitted by the G-4.

Ratification of the resolution needs the approval of legislatures in two-thirds of the 191 UN member states.

On the issue of Japan's pursuing of permanent member in the Security Council, Oh stressed that his government holds that "a permanent member in the Security Council who will play great influence in international affairs should firstly obtain trust and support of neighboring countries."

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2005)