Speculation rekindles over Ban’s presidential bid

The United Nation’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hinted at the possibility of running for next year’s presidential election, fueling speculation about which political group he would represent amid the record-low popularity of President Park and her governing Saenuri Party.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, the outgoing UN chief said that he would “think about” his role in South Korea after his term ends on Dec 31. Ban also noted that he has “grave concern” over the nepotism scandal tied to Park’s longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil.

“I will think about what would be the best for me to serve for my country” Ban said. “As one of the citizens of Korea, I would say that I have been closely following this situation with grave concern. I know that people are frustrated. I know that sometimes they are very angry for what had happened.”

Ever since Ban hinted at a potential bid for the 2017 election for the first time in May, there have been rumors that he might be elected as the Saenuri candidate under the auspices of President Park and her loyalists inside Saenuri.

But the looming scenario has been challenged by the public’s outrage over the Choi scandal. With President Park and Saenuri Party’s approval rating plummeting to an all-time low, Ban’s popularity has also declined.

According to Realmeter survey released Thursday, Ban was picked as the second favorite presidential hopeful behind Democratic Party’s former leader Rep. Moon Jae-in. Since the scandal broke out in late October, Ban has been outpaced by Moon.

Beforehand, Ban was often picked as the most favorite presidential candidate. Based on Realmeter polls on a hypothetical 2017 race released in August and September, Ban defeated Moon and other contenders outside a margin of error.

Such records have put conservative power brokers supporting Ban at unease. Former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil, who had urged Ban to play a “bigger role” in Korea’s politics, reportedly told his aides that “things would work against Ban.”

Pointing to the growing risk over Ban’s potential run on a Saenuri ticket, analysts said that he would forge alliances with Saenuri heavyweights critical of Park and moderate wings of opposition parties.

Former Saenuri leader Rep. Kim Moo-sung, who has campaigned for impeaching the president, said on Thursday that he is “willing to work” with Ban for the 2017 election. A day earlier, Kim said he would not run for the election, but instead help presidential hopefuls advocating conservative values.

By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)