The former UN chief has arrived back in his home country amid speculation he may run if President Park is forced from office.
ADVERTISEMENTThe former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has arrived home in Seoul saying he will decide soon on whether to run for president in South Korea.
Speculation is rife that the 72-year-old will seek the country’s top job in elections that may come early if President Park Geun-hye is forced out of office by a scandal over influence-peddling.
The former UN chief addressed a large crowd of media and well-wishers at Incheon international airport.
“I am ready to burn my body in devotion to unite a divided country into one and make South Korea a first-class country again,” he said. “With a humble attitude, I will make an unselfish decision. It will not take long before the decision comes.”
Ban’s return comes as South Korea is in the midst of a political crisis.
President Park has been stripped of her presidential powers pending a court decision on whether to uphold parliament’s move to impeach her.
Ban Ki-moon’s path to the presidency took a knock this week when his younger brother and nephew were accused in a New York court of bribery in an international business deal.
The former UN chief said he was dismayed by the affair and knew nothing about it.