Soft-spoken S Korean takes UN helm

The 62-year-old South Korean foreign minister, who dominated four informal straw polls, was the only candidate left standing for the coveted role of United Nations Secretary General after the six other contenders withdrew.

With strong support in the 15-member UN Security Council, his official nomination for the job was little more than a formality when the world body met on Monday in New York.

There is little doubt either that he will be approved as Kofi Annan's successor when his nomination goes to the general assembly for consideration.

The 192-member assembly is likely to schedule a vote later in October, and the United States called on Monday for rapid approval of the South Korean amid turmoil over Pyongyang's underground test of an atomic weapon.

In Seoul, rather than expressing jubilation at his selection, Ban struck a sombre note.