UN tribute to Kim leads to walkout of diplomats
The UN General Assembly observes a minute of silence to mourn the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il before a committee of the UN General Assembly began a meeting in New York on Thursday afternoon. Most envoys from Western countries walked out on the tribute. [AP/YONHAP]
At the start of the assembly Thursday, its president, Qatar’s Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, told the diplomats, “It is my sad duty to pay tribute to the memory of the late Kim Jong-il.”
The president asked North Korean Ambassador Sin Son-ho to “convey condolences” and called on all envoys “to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of the late leader.”
A walkout ensued by ambassadors from South Korea, the United States, Japan, Britain, France, Germany and other countries. After the walkout, only a third of the seats were still occupied.
Al-Nasser read out all the official posts held by the North Korean leader and the remaining diplomats stood and bowed their heads for a minute.
Al-Nasser explained that it was a “protocol” move following a North Korean request.
“This is a man who is responsible for probably tens of thousands of deaths,” a European diplomat told AFP. “He is not a model for the UN.”
“It is an embarrassment that we will have to put up with,” commented an Asian diplomat.
The only official condolence book for Kim in North America is at the country’s UN mission in New York. A huge wall of white chrysanthemums has been set up around a portrait of the so-called “dear leader”.
UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro signed the book for the “UN system,” said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky. Representatives from the United States, Japan, South Korea and most European nations have not signed the book.
By Kim Hee-jin, AFP [heejin@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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