Former UN chief gives up presidential ambitions

By Park Sae-jin Posted : February 1, 2017, 16:16 Updated : February 1, 2017, 16:44

[Yonhap Photo]


Former UN chief Ban Ki-moon gave up his presidential bid Wednesday, expressing disappointment over what he called an "obsolete and selfish" mindset in South Kora's political circle.

Ban's decision sprang a surprise on supporters because he is one of South Korea's top presidential contenders in opinions polls along with Moon Jae-in, a strong opposition candidate.

"I will give up my pure aspiration to spearhead the transfer of power and achieve national harmony," Ban said in a news conference. He said he was "very frustrated" by parochial and selfish attitudes shown by domestic political groups. "I've reached a conclusion that it is meaningless to go together with them."

President Park Geun-hye was impeached in parliament on December 9 for her role in a corruption scandal involving her jailed crony, Choi Soon-sil. If the constitutional court confirms Park's impeachment, an election should be held within two months.

Without declaring his candidacy, Ban has staged an active political campaign since he returned home on January 12 after completing a 10-year tenure as UN secretary general.

However, he has been under political attacks from his opponents mainly due to criminal charges brought by US authorities against his relatives, although he dismissed any connection with them.

On several occasions, he apologized for causing public concerns with a bribery case involving his younger brother, Ban Ki-sang, and his nephew, Dennis Bahn. US authorities have asked South Korea to arrest his brother on charges of bribery.

The relatives were charged with conspiracy in New Yok for trying to bribe a Middle East government official in the course of trying to sell a building owned by a South Korean construction firm, Keangnam Enterprises, in Vietnam.

The money is known to have been spent by a middleman before reaching the official. Ban's nephew is on bail in New York. The bribery case has dealt a blow to the former foreign minister who has maintained a relatively clean image at home.

 
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