Perplexed UN Leader Mystified by South Korea Presidential Rumors
Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General, has arrived in South Korea for a six-day visit, attending a UN conference of NGOs in the southern city of Gyeongju. However, the visit has been dominated by speculation over a possible presidential bid in 2017.
Despite the rumours, Ban Ki-moon insists there is no personal or political element to his visit. He stated, "I am baffled by the exaggerated spin put on my remarks." Ban Ki-moon also denied that his current South Korea visit was testing the waters for an eventual presidential bid.
In the past, Ban Ki-moon himself fueled speculation about a possible presidential candidacy in South Korea in 2017. However, he officially declined to run before stepping down as UN Secretary-General at the end of that year. Local media interpreted his initial statement as the clearest indication yet of a possible presidential run.
Ban Ki-moon served as foreign minister under the late liberal president Roh Moo-Hyun from 2004 to 2006. He has never joined any South Korean political party. His UN position is a source of substantial national pride in South Korea, and recent opinion polls show Ban Ki-moon with a clear lead over potential presidential rivals.
However, Ban Ki-moon requested the media to refrain from over-interpreting or speculating about his actions in South Korea. He stated that he is "one who knows his plans and will make decisions." Ban Ki-moon did not offer a direct denial of his presidential ambitions, but he indicated he might seek advice when he returns to South Korea as an ordinary citizen.
As Ban Ki-moon's term as UN chief nears its end, the speculation over his presidential intentions will intensify. The former UN Secretary-General is expected to return to South Korea after his UN duties are completed at the end of this year.
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