Korea has been reelected to the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board a year after its previous term ended. Shown are participants at this year’s World Health Assembly on May 27 in Geneva, Switzerland. (WHO)
By Park Hyeri
The nation has earned reelection to the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) a year after its previous term ended.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare on June 3 said this year’s World Health Assembly from May 27 to June 1 in Geneva, Switzerland, confirmed Korea as among 12 new members confirmed for the board.
This is the country’s eighth term on the board since Korea joined the organization in 1949. In October last year, Korea earned a nomination along with Brunei at the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manila, the Philippines.
Throughout its term ending in May 2027, Seoul is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping WHO decisions by representing the Western Pacific region.
The WHO Executive Board has 34 member countries, five of which are in the Western Pacific: Brunei, Australia, China, Micronesia and Korea.
From June 3-4, Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Park Minsoo attended the board’s 155th meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, as executive director of WHO’s Korea branch.
There, the official attended discussions on major agenda including the results of this year’s World Health Assembly and held bilateral meetings with Catharina Boehme, WHO’s assistant director-general for external relations and governance, and Blair Excell, Australia’s member on the WHO Executive Board, to discuss major global health issues and raise mutual cooperation.
“As a member of the Executive Board for the next three years, Korea will share its experience to contribute to strengthening the global health system,” Vice Minister Park said. “We will continue to cooperate with other Executive Board members and member states.”
hrhr@korea.kr
