Ban Ki-moon

Politician

South Korean Eumseong, Korea

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalitySouth Korean
Date of Birth13/06/1944
Age82 years
BirthplaceEumseong, Korea

Latest News about Ban Ki-moon

31/03/2026

The Global Center on Adaptation announced that Ban Ki-moon's tenure as founding chair had ended. He moved into the role of Chair Emeritus after serving as co-chair from 2018 to 2026, reflecting a transition in his involvement with the organization.

18/02/2026

Ban Ki-moon was announced as the honorary chairman and chair professor at Yonsei University's Africa Research Institute. The appointment was confirmed in December 2025, and the role is intended to support African research and international exchange based on his experience and global network.

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Bio/Wiki

Korean names
  • 반기문 (in Hangul)
  • 潘基文 (in Hanja)
  • PanÉ¡imun (in IPA)
  • Pan Kimun (in McCune–Reischauer Romanization)
  • Ban Gimun (in Revised Romanization of Korean)
Nickname(s)
  • The Slippery Eel
  • Stand-up Guy
  • Invisible Man
  • Powerless Observer
  • Nowhere Man
Nickname(s):
  • The Slippery Eel
  • Stand-up Guy
  • Invisible Man
  • Powerless Observer
  • Nowhere Man

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 10" (178 cm)
Eye ColorDark Brown
Hair ColorSalt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

Highest Education
  • Bachelor in International Relations at Seoul National University (1979)
  • Master of Public Administration at John F. Kennedy School of Government (1985)

Personal Life

SchoolChungju High School, South Korea
College/University
  • Seoul National University
  • John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Food HabitNon-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage DateYear, 1970
Family
Wife/SpouseYoo Soon-taek (social activist)
Children
  • Ban Woo-hyun (works in a New York-based finance company)
  • Hyun Hee Ban (Chief Social Policy maker in UNICEF India)
  • Ban Hyun-hee
Parents
FatherBan Myung-hwan (1922-1991) (businessman)
MotherShin Hyun-soon
Siblings
  • Ban Ki-sang (businessman)
  • Ban Ki-hoon
  • Jong-ran
  • Ban Gyeong-hee
Other Relatives
Son-in-lawSiddharth Chatterjee (husband of Hyun Hee Ban; retired major of the Indian Special Forces, United Nations employee)

Career

Major Designations
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (17 January 2004 - 1 December 2006)
  • 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2016)
  • President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (2018-2025)
  • Co-chair of the Global Center on Adaptation (2018-2026)
  • Chair Emeritus of the Global Center on Adaptation (2026-present)
  • Chair Professor at Yonsei University's Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Ban Ki-moon was born in Korea during the Japanese Rule.
2. He experienced extreme poverty in his youth due to his father's business setbacks.
3. Ban Ki-moon married Yoo Soon-taek in 1971, whom he met in high school.
4. In 1962, he won a Red Cross essay contest and traveled to the United States.
5. He became the UN Secretary-General without opposition in 2011.
6. Ban Ki-moon is a strong supporter of nuclear disarmament and climate conservation efforts.
7. He is an emeritus member of The Elders group.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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