Sin Son Ho
Encyclopedia
Sin Son-ho (born July 5, 1948) is a North Korea
n diplomat
who has been North Korea's Permanent Representative to the United Nations
since 2008. In his career as a diplomat, he has primarily represented North Korea in its relations with Africa
n countries.
, where he served until 1979. From 1979 to 1983, he was a senior officer in the Foreign Ministry, then, from 1983 to 1986, counsellor at the North Korean embassy to Lesotho
. From 1986 to 1990, he was Division Chief at the Foreign Ministry, before serving as counsellor to the North Korean embassy in Zimbabwe
from 1990 to 1995. From 1995 to 1999, he was Deputy-Director of the Foreign Ministry.
Sin's first appointment to the United Nations came in 1999, when he worked at the North Korean Mission to the United Nations for four years before returning home upon being appointed Director-General of the Foreign Ministry. He served in the latter position until May 2008, when he was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In his latter role, Sin has been tasked with expressing North Korea's positions on the issue of his country's nuclear activities
. In October 2008, Sin told a session of the General Assembly
that North Korea had developed nuclear weapons in response to the threat it perceived from the United States
, but that it had begun dismantling its nuclear apparatus and that it supported the "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsular". Sin added that his country wished for a peace agreement to replace to 55 year-old Korean War
armistice
, and that North Korea hoped for the eventual reunification of Korea
.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
who has been North Korea's Permanent Representative to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
since 2008. In his career as a diplomat, he has primarily represented North Korea in its relations with Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n countries.
Diplomatic career
Sin graduated from Kim Il-sung University in 1972. That same year, he was appointed as Third Secretary to the North Korean embassy to EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, where he served until 1979. From 1979 to 1983, he was a senior officer in the Foreign Ministry, then, from 1983 to 1986, counsellor at the North Korean embassy to Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. From 1986 to 1990, he was Division Chief at the Foreign Ministry, before serving as counsellor to the North Korean embassy in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
from 1990 to 1995. From 1995 to 1999, he was Deputy-Director of the Foreign Ministry.
Sin's first appointment to the United Nations came in 1999, when he worked at the North Korean Mission to the United Nations for four years before returning home upon being appointed Director-General of the Foreign Ministry. He served in the latter position until May 2008, when he was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In his latter role, Sin has been tasked with expressing North Korea's positions on the issue of his country's nuclear activities
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
North Korea has declared that it has nuclear weapons and is believed by many to have nuclear weapons. The CIA assesses that North Korea also has a substantial arsenal of chemical weapons...
. In October 2008, Sin told a session of the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
that North Korea had developed nuclear weapons in response to the threat it perceived from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but that it had begun dismantling its nuclear apparatus and that it supported the "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsular". Sin added that his country wished for a peace agreement to replace to 55 year-old Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
, and that North Korea hoped for the eventual reunification of Korea
Korean reunification
Korean reunification refers to the hypothetical future reunification of North Korea and South Korea under a single government...
.