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Korea Reelected ICAO Director Nation Korea has been elected as director at the 35th International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) held in Montreal, Canada, Oct. 6, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation said recently. Vice Minister Kim Se-ho, who attended the ICAO meeting, said Korea became a director nation in the 36-member ICAO board of directors for the second time following its election in 2001 and ICAO has 188 member countries. The vice minister of construction and transportation met with Chairman Kotaite and Secretary-General Cherif of ICAO during his stay in Montreal. He also met with heads of four influential ICAO regions including Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa to win their support for Korea's bid for ICAO directorship. He also met with chiefs of major ICAO member countries such as China, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. He also called on U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta to win their support for Korea. The Korean delegation's activities including holding its own reception and a joint one for participants at the ICAO meeting and meetings or luncheons with undecided representatives to win their support. As a result, Korea received 125 votes, the 9th among 14 elected, compared to 109 votes in 2001. Korea became an ICAO director country for the first time in 2001 since joining the international aviation organization in 1952 and had been able to participate in key ICAO policy-making meetings with ramifications in international civil air transport, making Korean voices heard with a great contribution to the progress of the international civil aviation. Korea ranks the 7th in world air transportation and also the 7th in paying dues to ICAO and its reelection is likely to help the country to play a greater role in the safety and progress of international civil aviation. For reference, Korea has been providing a free training for aviation experts from under-developed countries from 2001 and until this year, a total of 118 aviation experts from around 40 countries benefited from the program. nw
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