Delegation from the Represented by the

Republic of Korea University of Magdeburg, Germany

Position Paper for the World Health Organization (WHO)

The issues discussed before the World Health Organization are: HIV/AIDS: The Promise and Challenge of a Vaccine;
Human Cloning and Protecting the Human Genome and; Biological and Chemical Terrorism. The Republic of Korea
is very supportive of the work of the WHO. With the cooperation of all members this session will lead to great
success.

I. HIV/AIDS: The Promise and Challenge of a Vaccine

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a
threat to our society. The Republic of Korea is very supportive of the WHOs steps to find a vaccine against
HIV/AIDS. The WHO and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (WHO-UNAIDS) reported in their
global summary on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in December 2002 that around 42 million people live with HIV/AIDS
worldwide. In 2002 there were five million new infections with HIV and 3.1 million deaths because of AIDS. About
95 percent of the infected people live in developing countries. The highest rate is in Sub-Saharan Africa with 29.4
million infected, followed by South and South-East Asia with 6 million and East Asia and Pacific with 1.2 million
infected people. The Republic of Korea is very concerned about the rising numbers of infections. The development in
the Asian countries is very alarming as half of the worlds population lives in that region. The National Health
Institute of Korea estimated that in the Republic of Korea 1,280 people are infected with HIV and 32 persons have
AIDS.
There are numerous organizations working to find a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. The WHO established their
HIV/AIDS program in 1992. Further organizations are the UNAIDS, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
(IAVI) and the International Vaccine Institute. The WHO-UNAIDS HIV Vaccine Initiative (HVI) was established in
January 2000. The goals of the HVI are to promote the development, facilitate evaluation, and address future
availability of a preventive vaccines focusing on the need of developing countries. HVI provides a forum for
scientists from different organizations where they can exchange information to find a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. In
2001 there was a policy workshop in Seoul, where the future access to a vaccine in Asia and the Pacific was discussed.
This was organized by the HVI and in cooperation with the IAVI and the International Vaccine Institute. Our
government recognized two major problems that hinder us to find a vaccine, the first is the scientific challenge, and
the second is the financial issue. Owing to a lack of money the vaccine cannot be tested. Furthermore a large amount
of money is used to find treatments against AIDS instead for searching for a vaccine.
In Korea, several efforts have been made to fight HIV/AIDS. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has been trying to
prevent HIV infections since 1985. As a reaction to the rising number of infected people the National AIDS
Committee was established. The National Institute of Health in Korea helps to prevent HIV/AIDS and to find a
vaccine. Our government enacted an AIDS Prevention Act in 1987, which is very successful in preventing HIV
infections, since only 1,280 people are infected in our country. The government supports the efforts of enterprises to
find a HIV/AIDS vaccine and is engaged in finding investors for further developments of the vaccine. In addition,
there are talks with the Korean administration to test a vaccine that has been developed. The GX-12 combines DNA
from the AIDS virus with a chemical, interlukin-12, to stimulate the body's immune reactions. The GX-12 proved
safe in animal as well as in human testing. Our state supports the work of the UNAIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. We
contribute resources since the problem in developing countries often is a lack of resources.
The Republic of Korea believes that it is of utmost importance to help developing countries with high percentage of
HIV/AIDS infected people through education programs and information initiatives. Teachers should be trained to
inform youths about HIV/AIDS. We believe the School Feeding program is very effective. This program especially
cares for the childrens health. They get food; receive education and the knowledge how to protect themselves against
HIV/AIDS. In May 2002 the Korean Anti-AIDS Federation started an information initiative in schools. The Program
is a peer education program. The peer keeper had lessons on HIV/AIDS and through him the other students get
educated. The Republic of Korea appreciates the fact that some pharmaceutical companies offer AIDS drugs to
countries that are most affected at a cheaper price. Our government promises to support the work of the WHO to find
a vaccine against HIV/AIDS and we hope that one will be found in the near future.

II. Human Cloning and Protecting the Human Genome

The Human Genome Project (HGP), which was initiated by the United States of America, started in 1990. The goal of
the HGP is to discover all human genes (the Genome). In 2000 the first rough draft of the human Genome was
finished. The working draft will be finished in 2003. It is expected that the result of HGP encompasses the cause and
treatment of diseases as well as facts about aging.
The Republic of Korea believes that Genome research has the potential to provide scientists with a clue to find
pharmaceuticals against diseases. We believe that Genome research has the potential to find a vaccine against
HIV/AIDS. Genome research bears also the risk to misuse the knowledge about the Human Genome. Therefore the
United Nations should focus on the task to uphold human dignity. In 1997 the Universal Declaration on the Human
Genome and Human Rights (UDHGHR) was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Republic of Korea as well as many other countries prepares a legislation to
prohibit reproductive human cloning.
Furthermore with General Assembly resolution A/Res/56/93 (2001) an Ad Hoc Committee on an International
Convention against the Reproductive Cloning of Human Beings was established. At the 57th General Assembly
Session Germany and France submitted a list of issues that should be addressed in a convention on Reproductive
Cloning of Human Beings. However, until now there is no convention concerning this topic. The Republic of Korea
supports the work of the Ad Hoc Committee. Our government actively supports the Genome research. In 1997 a
Korean group created a cloned cow with the same technology (somatic cell nuclear transfer) that was used to create
the first cloned animal, named Dolly. In 2000 and 2001 another Korean group managed to establish stem cell lines.
They made this from surplus embryos that were originally made for in vitro fertilization. With the ongoing success of
cloning there were debates by religious groups and researchers about the ethical factors concerning cloning. Therefore
as mentioned above the Republic of Korea is on the way to develop legislation where reproductive cloning, embryo
research and privacy of genetic information will be addressed. The Republic of Korea considers reproductive human
cloning as an inhuman measure in science. An alarming fact is that sheep Dolly has to be put to sleep in February
2003 after being diagnosed with progressive lung disease. To prevent inhuman research measures our government is
working to enact a law that prohibits the reproductive cloning of human beings.

III. Biological and Chemical Terrorism

September 11 show the danger terrorists pose to the world. If they have access to Weapons of Mass Destruction, the
threat is even higher. The Republic of Korea complies with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The international community adopted numerous agreements and treaties to
control the use and production of weapons to ensure peace and security in the world and believe it is of main
importance that all countries comply with the Conventions. The Republic of Korea fulfils all major international
treaties and agreements. Our government has ratified eight conventions on international terrorism and already plays
an active role in the fight against terrorism. The Counter Terrorism Committee, which is supported by our
government, plays an important role by strengthening the international community with campaigns against terrorism.
The threat of Biological and Chemical weapons to international peace and security rise, as they are cheaper and easy
to produce. Biological and Chemical weapons are difficult to control, therefore it is even more important to
implement a strict verification system. The Republic of Korea believes it is necessary to completely eliminate
chemical and biological weapons.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was established in 1997. As an Executive
Council member of the OPCW, our government supports the organizations work since the establishment. We believe
that the OPCW verification activities will raise the compliance with the CWC. In addition, a universal adherence to
the CWC will be brought forward. For our Peninsula the OPWC is of main importance because the peace process can
be brought forward through this. As the developments in biotechnology proceeds the threats biological weapons pose
are worsening. We have to increase the efforts to end the production of biological weapons. In addition, we need to
find inspection procedures. The Republic of Korea believes that there is an urgent need to create a verification regime
of the BWC. This topic is especially important for our country because our neighbor to the north is known to be in
possession of biological and chemical weapons. Furthermore they have the capacity to produce more and have
announced to do so. This has to be done as soon as possible because it is crucial for promoting the peace process on
the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, the Korean government emphasizes the importance of a verification regime of the
BWC and call upon all states to cooperate, especially North Korea.
The verification problem covers the nuclear as well as the biological and chemical sector. In order to resolve the
nuclear threat from the north we urge North Korea to entirely cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). This is a precondition to continue the
light water reactor project. Cooperation between the two parts helps to reduce tensions and will lead to a peaceful
coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Our government is on the hand to implement SC/Res/1373 (2001), which shows the strong will of the international
community to combat terrorism, on the national level. Therefore we established the Korean Financial Intelligence
Unit (KFIU). The KFIU established the National Council against Terrorism and the Counter Terrorism Center. A
draft of the Anti-Terrorism Bill is before the National Assembly and on the way to be enacted. On the regional level
the Republic of Korea was actively involved when the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum adopted the
APEC Leaders Statement on Counter-terrorism. Another regional action against terrorism was the work on the
2001 ASEAN Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism. Together with Japan and Singapore the Republic
of Korea co-hosted the Workshop of the Asia Regional Forum on the Prevention of Terrorism. A top priority of our
administration is the terrorism fight on the national, regional and international level. The Republic of Korea promises
to support the WHO and work closely together with other countries to solve this problem.