UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart on Friday for a visit to South Korea and Timor- Leste, Ban's spokesperson Martin Nesirky told a daily briefing here Monday.

Ban will visit South Korea's southern city of Yeosu to take part in the closing ceremony for the 2012 Expo, said Nesirky.

The secretary-general will speak at an international conference on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and launch the UN Oceans Compact, he said, adding that Ban will hold talks with a number of South Korean officials in Seoul and visit two universities to highlight women's empowerment and global health.

In Timor-Leste, the UN chief will hold talks with President Taur Matan Ruak and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, deliver a speech in parliament, and visit the country's police academy, said Nesirky.

Ban will return to New York on August 17, he said.