US Rejoins UNESCO... 10 Countries Including Buk, Jung, and Ru Vote Against

Withdrawal under Trump... Biden Restores Membership
Outstanding Dues of 815.5 Billion Won Must Be Paid

After withdrawing from UNESCO in 2017, citing a biased attitude towards its ally Israel, the United States rejoined UNESCO after six years. The Biden administration rejoined UNESCO, which had been left during former President Donald Trump's tenure.

UNESCO announced on the 30th of last month that it approved the United States' re-entry application at an extraordinary general meeting held at its headquarters in Paris, France.

Photo by AP [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

UNESCO stated that out of a total of 193 member countries, 132 supported the return of the United States. There were 10 countries opposed.

According to the Associated Press, North Korea, China, Russia, Palestine, Belarus, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Nicaragua, and Syria opposed the move. In particular, representatives from North Korea, Russia, and Palestine among these countries reportedly raised procedural issues and proposed amendments, seemingly to delay the vote as much as possible.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed her welcome, saying, "With the return of the United States, UNESCO can take one more step forward in pursuing universalism."

The Biden administration applied for re-entry earlier this month, concerned that the United States' influence in UNESCO's policy-making process was weakening and that China would fill that void. UNESCO plays an important role in establishing international standards in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and technical education.

To rejoin, the United States must pay $619 million (approximately 815.5 billion KRW) in unpaid dues from 2011 to 2018. The U.S. had stopped paying dues in 2011 when Palestine joined UNESCO, citing the reason of suspending support until the Middle East peace negotiations were completed.

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