South Korea has been selected as one of the top council members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 13th consecutive time, officials said Friday.
South Korea was reelected as a category A member of the IMO Council at the U.N. shipping agency's 34th general meeting in London, according to 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. South Korea has held the status since 2001.
Oceans Minister Chun Jae-soo, who is visiting Britain this week, said South Korea's election reaffirmed the country's status as a shipping and shipbuilding powerhouse.
"By actively reflecting South Korea's position in the establishment and revision of international standards, (we) will support strengthening the competitiveness of the shipping and shipbuilding industries," he said.
