South Korean Ban Ki-moon to Head UN

According to the New York Times, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ban Ki-Moon, is set to replace UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

I don't really know where he stands on vital issues, such as Iran, global gun ban, etc., but American officials are pleased:

Ban has had extensive contact with the United States and is considered politically close to Washington. John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador, said after the vote: "The United States is very pleased with the outcome."

You can read his bio here or here, but neither are very informative.