Korea has earned a fifth straight term on UNESCO's Executive Board, the global agency's main decision-making body.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Nov. 16 said the country will serve the 2023-27 term after its election at the world body's general assembly in Paris the day before.
The board has the power to propose, deliberate and decide on UNESCO's major projects and administrative issues, with 58 of the organization's 194 member countries as members.
First elected in 1987, Korea has since served on the board except during the 2003-07 term. Its latest election is the country's fifth straight since 2007.
This year, nine countries ran for six positions in the board's Asia-Pacific group, to which Korea belongs. Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia took the other five spots.
The ministry said, "Korea's fifth straight election to the Executive Board reflects high recognition of the nation's efforts and willingness to provide constructive contributions to future UNESCO activities like more opportunities for quality education for UNESCO member countries, protection of cultural heritage, promotion of balanced interpretation and reinforced implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage."
