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The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) Sunday on the first leg of a five-nation Asian tour that will also take him to Japan, China, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Accompanied by his wife, Annan smiled and waved to journalists on his arrival at Incheon Airport, but made no comments before heading to his hotel in downtown Seoul.

The top UN diplomat, who steps down after his second five-year term on December 31, was seeking Asian support for reforms to the UN, whose 191 members are divided over how to reshape the organization.

Annan was also hoping to ease regional tensions in Asia where divisions over its bitter past have left Japan stuck in a diplomatic row with its neighbors ROK and China.

Beijing and Seoul are outraged by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead including 14 Class-A war criminals during World War II, and by Tokyo's approval of distorted history books.

Ahead of his Asian tour, Annan last week called on Japan and its neighbors to improve relations, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency.

Annan hailed celebrations in Moscow last year marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which brought together leaders of Germany and its former foes, according to Kyodo.

Expansion of the 15-nation UN Security Council was one of several key reforms that Annan had hoped to gain support for.

During his three-day stay in Seoul, Annan will have talks with Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon today and meet President Roh Moo-Hyun tomorrow with the focus on UN reforms and a standoff over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear issue.

Seoul officials privately hope that Annan's visit to ROK could boost the chances that Ban, one of several candidates to replace Annan as UN secretary-general, becomes head of the world body.

Annan, a Ghanaian, has said that an Asian candidate could replace him according to the geographical rotation rule.

Annan will leave for Tokyo tomorrow.

Japan said it plans to discuss UN reform with Annan during his visit to the country.

China's foreign ministry said Annan would visit Beijing from May 19 to 23. He will meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan to discuss issues of common concern, as well as China's co-operation with the world body.
 
(China Daily May 15, 2006)