Yoo Hee-dong, Director of Korea Meteorological Administration, Elected Executive Director of World Meteorological Organization

Activities Including Policy Decisions Until the 2023 World Meteorological Congress

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Yoo Hee-dong, the Commissioner of the Korea Meteorological Administration, was unanimously elected as an Executive Council Member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) by the Asian regional member countries in a by-election.

With Commissioner Yoo elected as an Executive Council Member, South Korea has maintained its status as an Executive Council Member country of the WMO since 2007. The WMO Executive Council is a key executive body that oversees and coordinates budgets and various projects. It is composed of 37 members from 193 member countries, with seats allocated by region, and heads of national meteorological agencies serve as members.

In this election, a total of six countries from the Asian region, including South Korea, China, Japan, Iran, India, and the chair country United Arab Emirates, will serve as Executive Council Members. They will serve until the 19th World Meteorological Congress scheduled to be held in May-June 2023.

This election as an Executive Council Member is the result of strengthened cooperation in implementing the WMO strategic plan, policy support, and enhancing the response capacity of developing countries vulnerable to climate change risks.

Commissioner Yoo Hee-dong stated, "Being elected as a WMO Executive Council Member is the result of all our efforts that have positively influenced and contributed to the international meteorological and climate community," adding, "Amid the accelerating climate crisis, we will actively participate in international cooperation for global climate change response, continuously promote South Korea's advanced meteorological technology worldwide, and strive to expand its influence."