Korea Elected as Vice-Chair Country of WHO Executive Board... Kim Gang-rip, MFDS Commissioner, Appointed Vice-Chair

Scheduled to Serve as Vice Chair Representing the Western Pacific Region

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that South Korea is expected to be elected as a Vice-Chair country of the 149th World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board meeting held on the 2nd.

Accordingly, Kim Kang-lip, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, who was nominated as an Executive Board member last year while serving as Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, will participate in the Executive Board proceedings as Vice-Chair for the next year. WHO Executive Board members are nominated after the selection of Executive Board countries and serve as board members for a three-year term regardless of position changes.

The Executive Board consists of 34 Executive Board countries, with a chairperson and five vice-chairpersons. To ensure regional equity, one member is elected from each of the Western Pacific, Southeast Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Americas, Africa, and Europe regions. South Korea is expected to serve as Vice-Chair representing the Western Pacific region.

Since being elected as an Executive Board country in May last year, South Korea has actively participated in the organization’s operations by reviewing and proposing the WHO budget, major project strategies, and operational directions. In particular, at this Executive Board meeting, Commissioner Kim plans to encourage the Secretariat struggling with COVID-19, while urging faithful implementation of the decisions of the 74th World Health Assembly, strengthening WHO’s capabilities, and securing the sustainability of the WHO budget.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.