NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

Press Release
BIO/3121

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SECRETARY-GENERAL

Li Hyong Chol, the new Permanent Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan this afternoon.

From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Li served as Vice Foreign Minister and Director of his country's Department for the United States. He was the head of its delegation at missile talks with the United States held in May 1996 and June 1997. He has also attended various international meetings, including sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

From 1986 to 1993, he held the posts of Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Division Chief at the Institute of Disarmament and Peace, and Division Chief at the Institute for International Studies.

Mr. Li was Counsellor at his country's mission to Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1986, during which time he was also Deputy Representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Mission to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Earlier, from 1970 to 1978, he had served as an attache at his country's embassy in Zambia.

He received his Masters degree in international relations from the University of International Affairs in Pyongyang in 1970.

Born on 25 February 1948, Mr. Li is married and has two children.

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