Peace Univ. Head Elected President of Costa Rica

The honorary president of a peace studies graduate school in Chonan, South Chungchong Province, has been elected as Costa Rica’s head of state.

Oscar Arias Sanchez, the honorary head of the International Graduate University for Peace (IGUP), was declared the winner of the Central American country’s presidential election this week after a recount, the university said.

Arias, 65, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts to help end war in Central America. He was previously president from 1986 to 1990.

He took part in the 1st International Peace Forum hosted by the IGUP and visited Seoul for the World Overseas Korean Peace Festival.

The university, South Korea’s first research institution for peace studies, said Arias showed great interest in the establishment of peace in East Asia.