Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon is stepping down from his Cabinet post as he prepares to become the next U.N. gecretary-general.

A ceremony marking Ban’s departure from office will be held at the Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Ban is scheduled to leave for New York on Wednesday and begin preparations to take the helm at the world body.

The Foreign Ministry said four ministry officials, including Ban’s special aide Kim Won-soo, are expected to assist in Ban’s U.N. tasks.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Yu Myung-hwan will be the acting minister until presidential chief security aide Song Min-soon, the foreign minister-nominee, takes office.

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