During the Cold War, divided countries attempted to gain international recognition, claiming that their government was the only legitimate government among its counterparts. Therefore, it waged all-out diplomatic warfare not only to join the UN, but also to prevent its counterpart from being admitted. However, President Park Chung-hee's "Special Statement on Foreign Policy for Peace and Reunification," also known as the June 23 Statement, in 1973, marked a significant shift in South Korea's policy of admission to the United Nations. The statement was announced a day after the Security Council passed the proposal for the simultaneous accession of East and West Germany to the UN. Article 5 of the statement stipulates that South Korea does not oppose simultaneous accession unless it becomes an impediment to reunification. However, Kim Il Sung criticized the statement, referring it as a “maneuver to divide Korea” and instead requested North Korea’s admission to the UN as the “Democratic Confederal Republic of Koryo.”

In 1975, the South Korean government requested the reconsideration of its application twice in the wake of South and North Vietnam's applications to join the UN. Nonetheless, the Security Council did consider the appeals. Out of eight applications to join the UN, four were rejected due to the Soviet Union veto and the remaining four were essentially rejected as the Security Council took no action.

Nevertheless, South Korea continued to persuade member states of the necessity of its membership and centered diplomatic efforts on creating favorable conditions for attaining membership, such as actively participating in various activities of the UN.