UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13: The United Nations General Assembly by acclamation elected South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next Secretary General, replacing Kofi Annan who retired Dec 31 after two terms as UN chief.

Sixty-two-year old Ban, became the 8th head of the world body. He played a leading role in the now stalled six-party talks to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear weapon programme in return for economic incentives.

An experienced diplomat, who had held assignments in New Delhi, New York and Washington is expected to be elected by acclamation and without vote at a meeting of the General Assembly scheduled for later today to consider the recommendation of the 15-member Security Council nominating him to succeed Mr Annan.

The vote by general assembly was a mere formality after the UNSC recommended Mr Moon as a successor on Monday, an event overshadowed by North Korea’s nuclear test.

He is the second Asian to head the world body after U Thant of Burma who was Secretary-General from 1961 to 1971.

Soft-spoken Mr Moon was selected by the council also by acclamation and without vote after all candidates challenging him, including India’s Shashi Tharoor, withdrew from the contest when it became clear that the South Korean had the support at least 14 of 15 members, including all five permanent members.

Mr Moon plans to delay the oath-taking till December to enable him to continue as the foreign minister to wind up his activities. Mr Moon, who is fluent in English and French, was born on June 13, 1944 when his country was still under occupation and had graduated in international relations from the Seoul National University and in public administration from the Harvard University.