[Young Journalist Jacob Siyun Sung] The Republic of Korea is expected to serve as president of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of September. This opportunity to lead discourse on major international issues such as the Israel–Palestine war and the Russia–Ukraine war comes one year and three months after its previous presidency in June 2024. 

According to the UN headquarters on August 31st (local time), South Korea will officially undertake the role of president on September 2 with an informal meeting to adopt the UNSC agenda for the month.

The Security Council consists of 15 member states that take turns holding the presidency in alphabetical order, with each member serving for one month. The president is in charge of chairing the council’s official and informal meetings, representing the council externally.

South Korea is currently serving as an elected non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term. This will be the nation’s fifth overall presidency since joining the UN in 1991, as previous presidencies were in May 1997, February 2013, May 2014, and June 2024. 

This high-level position grants the holder authority to set agendas and guide discussions. Conventionally, the presiding country runs a “signature event” which pinpoints one issue it prioritizes. South Korea previously highlighted cyber security in June 2024, but now plans to conduct a high-level open debate on artificial intelligence, according to the think tank Security Council Report.

Other key issues expected to be addressed include Middle Eastern conflicts such as Palestine, Syria, and Yemen; African crises such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Currently, with the ambassador of South Korea’s Permanent Mission to the UN position vacant, Acting Ambassador Kim Sang-jin will preside over the main meetings.

▶원문 기사: "韓, 9월 유엔 안보리 의장국 수임…국제 현안 논의 주도 기회" (이코노미스트, 2025.9.1)

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