Ban Ki-moon, the elected Secretary- General of the United Nations, said Friday that he will work for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue.

"In particular, I would like to contribute to a speedy, peaceful resolution to the DPRK's nuclear issue, with which I have directly dealt, by making the best of the authority of the secretary-general," Ban, who quit his job as South Korean foreign minister on Friday to prepare for his new position at the United Nations, said at the National Assembly when giving his farewell speech.

Ban said he will give priority on the reform of the UN as well as regional conflicts, terrorism and other global threats.

"My mission at the UN is said to be more important than those of any other secretary-generals in the past," Ban said.

Ban appealed the South Korean government make more efforts to expand its role in the international community.

"We have to actively undertake noblesse oblige for the international community," Ban stressed.

Ban is expected to take office as UN chief on Jan. 1 2007.

Source: Xinhua