SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean government announced Thursday its decision to temporarily halt its efforts to become a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

    The decision aimed to focus South Korea's diplomatic efforts on the race for the next UN secretary-general, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.

    "We concluded that, realistically, it would be difficult to win two of the most important elections in the United Nations at the same time," said a foreign ministry official.

    "We informed the UN member states of the decision on Aug. 29," said the official, adding that South Korea will resume its campaign for membership of the council "as early as possible."

    South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon is running for the post of UN secretary-general. In October, the United Nations is expected to decide the successor of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who will finish his tenure at the end of this year, and to choose new non-standing members at the 15-seat U.N. Security Council.

    South Korea has set its target to become a non-standing member of the UNSC since 2001. Indonesia and Nepal are also competing for the single UNSC seat allocated to Asia.

    Ban formally registered at the United Nations as a candidate for the UN secretary-general in mid-July. The secretary-general is appointed by the 191-nation General Assembly on the recommendation of the UN Security Council. A candidate needs the approval of nine of the 15 council members and can be vetoed by any of the five permanent member states.

    Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala and Indian nominee Shashi Tharoor also registered for the UN chief post. Enditem