Republic of Korea Concludes Its 2024–25 Term as Member of UN Security Council

- Demonstrating leadership in and expanding substantive contributions to international peace and security -

[Related National Policy Task] No. 120: Emerging as G7+ diplomatic power through contributions and active engagement in international community

The Republic of Korea concludes its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (New York time). Korea's 2024-2025 term as a non-permanent member of the UNSC marked its third following its previous ones in 1996-1997 and 2013-2014. Seizing its first opportunity in eleven years to serve on the Security Council, the Korean government demonstrated leadership in and expanded its substantive contributions to international peace and security.

※ The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It discusses and seeks solutions to major issues that threaten international peace and security, including armed conflicts around the world. It is the only UN body authorized to make decisions that are legally binding on all member states.

First, Korea took the lead in steering the Security Council's response to security threats related to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. As the role of the Council in addressing these new threats has gained prominence in the evolving international security landscape, the Korean government convened two high-level open debates - one on cybersecurity in June 2024 and another on artificial intelligence in September 2025 - during its two terms as President of the Council. In particular, the high-level open debate held this September on the theme of "Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security" marked the first time a President of the Republic of Korea presided over a Security Council meeting. The event served to elevate Korea's global profile as a leading nation in emerging technologies such as AI, while also signaling the country's strong commitment to playing a proactive role in addressing not only traditional security issues but also future security threats.

Second, Korea contributed to advancing discussions on peacekeeping and peacebuilding, which are core mandates of the Security Council. Drawing on its accumulated experience from deployments to UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), engagement in the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund, as well as its standing as a major financial and troop-contributing country, Korea actively participated in decision-making on overall PKO efforts and served as a coordinator between the Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. In addition, together with other non-permanent members of the Council, - Denmark and Pakistan - Korea launched an initiative to advance discussions on the development of PKO and convened an open debate on the future of peace operations (including peacekeeping operations) during its presidency of the Council this year, exploring ways to strengthen UN peace operations in the face of the current and emerging complex threats.

Third, Korea actively highlighted the need for the Security Council's engagement on non-traditional security issues, such as Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and climate change, and drew greater international attention to these challenges. Korea vigorously participated in the Council's discussions on WPS, emphasizing the need to end sexual violence in conflict and to promote women's participation in peace processes. In addition, Korea helped draw the Security Council's attention to violence and discrimination against women in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan, and worked with other Council members to seek ways to address these challenges. Korea also contributed to advancing Security Council discussions on climate-related security issues by highlighting the negative impacts of climate change on security in regions such as the Sahel and South Sudan, and by supporting the work of the UN Climate, Peace and Security Advisors.

The years 2024-2025, during which Korea served as a member of the Security Council, were marked by numerous conflicts around the world, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, making more crucial than ever the role of the Security Council that has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and waning trust in multilateralism, which have constrained the Security Council's ability to address conflicts, the Korean government consistently emphasized a principled position - respect for international law including the UN Charter, and the protection of civilians in conflict situations.

Korea fully exercised its diplomatic capacity as a non-permanent member of the Security Council amid ongoing tensions and divisions among its permanent members. Korea strengthened solidarity with other non-permanent members, promoted dialogue and cooperation between permanent and non-permanent members, and took an active lead in Security Council discussions not only on responding to conflicts around the world but also on overall peace and security issues. Because of these efforts, Korea is regarded as having further enhanced its profile on the multilateral stage as a responsible global power.

Building on the experience and accomplishments gained through its tenure as a member of the Security Council, the Korean government plans to continuously expand its contributions to the promotion of international peace and security. In doing so, it will actively work toward the faithful implementation of National Policy Task No. 120 - "emerging as a G7+ diplomatic power through contributions and active engagement in the international community."