S. Korea picked as IMO's top council member for 12th consecutive time

▲ This undated file photo shows the International Maritime Organization's headquarters in London, as provided by South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-IMO council

S. Korea picked as IMO's top council member for 12th consecutive time

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has been selected as one of the top council members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 12th consecutive term, officials said Friday.

South Korea was elected as a category A member of the IMO Council at its 33rd general meeting held in London, according to officials from the oceans ministry and the foreign ministry.

Category A status is given to 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services every two years through a general vote, according to the maritime body under the United Nations.

South Korea has held the status for 22 straight years since 2001.

"As a category A council member, South Korea will contribute to the development of the organization and actively lead talks on major pending issues for the IMO," Oceans Minister Cho Seung-hwan said.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved