South Korea supports German candidacy for UN Security Council seat

Visiting South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Wednesday in Berlin that his country supports Germany 's candidacy for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

However, speaking at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Roh said the two countries still differ on UN reforms.

He said South Korea supports UN reform Plan-B under which a new category of semi-permanent Security Council members would be chosen through regional elections for a four-year term.

The so-called Plan-A will create six new permanent Security Council seats. Germany is seeking a seat under Plan-A.

"This is the only area where we have differences," Roh said.

On Tuesday, an aide of the president told reporters that Roh " deems Germany is fully qualified to enter the UN Security Council. "

Germany, Japan, India and Brazil are among countries wanting permanent seats on an expanded Council currently with five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, the United States and Russia.