Transport Ministry to Launch ICAO-Dedicated Team
The Korean government will set up an organization dedicated to handling matters related to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to enhance its profile and sharpen the international competitiveness of the Korean air transport industry.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on May 5th that it will seek to grab an opportunity to upgrade its status in ICAO that comes in about 25 years.
ICAO is a specialized aviation organization under the United Nations (UN) established in 1947 based on the International Civil Aviation Convention. The organization establishes rules on international aviation, engages in various aviation-related disputes, and coordinates interests among member countries.
It consists of an assembly, a governing council, various committees, and a secretariat. The 36-member governing council, which is the top decision-making body, consists of three parts: Part I (11 states of chief importance in air transport), Part II (12 states which make the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation), and Part III (13 states ensuring geographic representation). The term of each council member is three years.
South Korea was elected to Part III in 2001 for the first time since joining the ICAO 50 years ago and has served as a council member for seven times in succession. Now Korea matches Part I countries in terms of aviation industry development as its air transportation volume ranks sixth in the world and its ICAO contributions are 1lth largest among members. ICAO is expected to increase the number of members for Part I in 2025 or 2028.
The South Korean government will remain committed to continuing its endeavor to step up its status to a higher membership tier of the Council, a Ministry official said on Tuesday.