Keijo Korhonen (politician)

Keijo Tero Korhonen (23 February 1934 – 6 June 2022) was a Finnish politician, ambassador, and professor.[2] During his political career, he served as the Finnish foreign minister and Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations. He was an unsuccessful candidate for President of Finland in 1994. He was also a professor at the University of Helsinki and an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona.

Keijo Korhonen
Foreign Minister of Finland
In office
29 September 1976 – 15 May 1977
Preceded byKalevi Sorsa
Succeeded byPaavo Väyrynen
Personal details
Born(1934-02-23)23 February 1934
Paltamo, Finland
Died6 June 2022 (aged 88)[1]
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyCentre Party
SpouseAnita Uggeldahl
Alma materUniversity of Turku
OccupationPolitician, professor at University of Arizona

Political career

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Korhonen was the Finnish foreign minister between 1976 and 1977 representing the Centre Party.[3] From 1983 to 1988, he was the Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations.[4] Korhonen was an independent candidate for the presidential election in 1994. He challenged Paavo Väyrynen who was the candidate of central party in Finland. They were both members of the party, but a majority of the party has changed toward EU-membership after the party leader Esko Aho took the power and supported EU-membership. Korhonen decided to work against EU-membership and for that reason decided to participate in presidential election outside his own party which supported EU-membership.

Views and controversy

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Korhonen was known for his critical views against the European Union. He is the author of several books about foreign politics and the United Nations.[5][6] Furthermore, Korhonen penned columns for Finnish newspapers and magazines.

According to the former secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Geir Lundestad's memoir, former Foreign Minister and UN ambassador, professor Korhonen was strongly opposed to the committee awarding the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize to Martti Ahtisaari. Lundestad claimed Korhonen even wrote a letter to the committee criticizing Ahtisaari both personally and for his merits in international conflict zones.[7] Korhonen. however, denied writing any letter to the Nobel Committee.[8]

Personal life

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Korhonen died in Tucson, Arizona, on 6 June 2022, at the age of 88.[9][10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Nyberg, René & Rentola, Kimmo (12 June 2022). "Tutkijasta tuli presidentin ulkopoliitikko". Helsingin Sanomat (Obituary) (in Finnish). p. B 33.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Details of minister – Korhonen, Keijo Tero". Valtioneuvosto (Finnish Government). Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland – Ministers of Foreign Affairs". Valtioneuvosto.fi. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Frontpage – Finland abroad".
  5. ^ "Keijo Korhonen". Amazon.com. Retrieved 7 June 2022.[better source needed]
  6. ^ "Keijo Korhonen (Finland) Elected Chairman of Special Political Committee". 17 September 1985. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ "Norjalaiskirja paljastaa: Keijo Korhonen yritti estää Martti Ahtisaaren Nobel-palkinnon". Verkkouutiset. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  8. ^ "IS: Keijo Korhonen kiistää kirjoittaneensa Norjan Nobel-komitealle Ahtisaaresta". Verkkouutiset. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Entinen ulkoministeri Keijo Korhonen on kuollut". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  10. ^ "HS: Entinen ulkoministeri Keijo Korhonen on kuollut". Uusimaa (in Finnish). 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  11. ^ Entinen ulkoministeri Keijo Korhonen on kuollut (in Finnish)
Political offices
Preceded by Foreign Minister of Finland
1976–1977
Succeeded by