The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Seoul

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged his fellow South Koreans Friday to do more for the world, saying they have a responsibility to help others.

Calling his appeal "a sobering message" for Koreans, Ban said in a speech to parliament that the international community wants his homeland to be more active in solving the world's problems. South Korea's former foreign minister called for more international efforts to fight climate change and poverty, meet development goals and keep peace in the world. "While we Koreans take pride in many achievements, economic and political maturity and democracy, the messagetis that we should do more-much, much more-for the peace and stability and common prosperity of the international community," he said.

He lamented the fact that South Korea ranks low among the members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a donor nation.

"Personally, I was ashamed as the secretary general (at South Korea's record)," he said, adding that it is time for his country to give back to the world the help it received after the Korean War.

"Korea may not be a great power but certainly we can be a great nation," he said, adding that its people tend to focus on domestic issues and pay less attention to global concerns.

"If Korea is to be a great nation, we must show greatness of our heart and generosity," he said.

Ban emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, one of his top agenda items at the helm of the United Nations.