United Nations approves S. Korea's Ban as leader

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13 (Reuters) The UN General Assembly approved South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon today as the next UN secretary-general, the last step in the process allowing him to assume the post on January. 1.

Ban, 62, is the first Asian leader since Burma's U Thant held the post from 1961 to 1971. Asian nations had insisted it was their turn for the job to succeed Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian, who has led the 192-member world body for the past decade.

Ban was approved by acclamation for a five-year term as the world's top diplomat.

REUTERS SRS PM0043