Ban Ki-moon met U.S President John F. Kennedy when he was still a high school student

In the early 1960s, Ban Ki-moon made the decision to take part in an English-language competition. Since he was still in high school, he decided to create the greatest essay possible and submit it. He didn't really give this essay much thought, but soon after, he learned that he had won the American Red Cross competition. And it led him to the White House, where he met American President John F. Kennedy; Ban claimed that this encounter was what spurred him to enter politics.

He has said that his life dramatically transformed after receiving the honor and traveling to the US. In reality, when he met American President John F. Kennedy, he began to reflect on the future and made the decision that he wanted to work as a diplomat. When he discussed this with the President, John F. Kennedy actually urged him to stay involved in politics and activism because he thought highly of Ban Ki-moon.