K-Pop band creates history with UN speech

IANS  |  New York 

South Korean boy band created history by becoming the first ever group to address the UN where they asked young people around the world to believe in their own convictions and voices.

Formed in 2013, is one of the most popular Korean bands in the world, with more than 13.3 million followers on

The group previously worked with the UN on awareness and fundraising campaigns.

In 2017, joined with the for to establish "Love Myself", which works with the organisatn's global #ENDviolence to advocate against against youth violence.

"Last November, BTS launched the 'Love Myself' campaign with UNICEF, building on our belief that 'true love first begins with loving myself'," Kim Nam Jun, the band's leader, said on Monday.

"After releasing the 'Love Yourself' albums and launching the 'Love Myself' campaign," Kim said, adding "We started to hear remarkable stories from our fans all over the world, how our message helped them overcome their hardships in life and start loving themselves. These stories constantly remind us of our responsibility".

"So, let's all take one more step. We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to "speak yourself," he added.

According to a UN statement, will tackle "the global education and training crisis currently holding back millions of young people and threatening progress and stability", said.

It will do so by focusing on secondary-age education; skills for learning, employability and decent work, and empowerment, the statement added.

Among those attending the speech were UN Antonio Guterres, and

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, September 25 2018. 10:10 IST