Ban Ki-moon's inner circle taking shape for election

Ban Ki-moon leaves the U.N. headquarters in New York on Dec. 30, 2016. / Yonhap

By Hong Dam-young

Former U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's inner circle is shaping up amid rising expectations that he will run for president this year.

Media reports said the former world top diplomat was likely to work closely with his "diplomatic ties" in a possible presidential bid.

Other presidential candidates have included intellectuals or former government officials in their inner circles.

From left, Kim Won-soo, incumbent U.N. undersecretary general and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; former Korean ambassadors to the U.N. Kim Sook and former Korean ambassadors to the U.N. Oh Joon

According to the reports, diplomatic officials expected to help Ban include: Kim Won-soo, incumbent U.N. undersecretary general and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; former Korean ambassadors to the U.N. Oh Joon and Kim Sook; and former Korean ambassador to Australia Kim Bong-hyun.

Ban's aides have reportedly set up an office in Mapo-gu in Seoul for Ban when he returns to Korea on Jan. 12.

Lee Byung-kee, President Park Geun-hye's former chief of staff, and Park Jin, former ruling Saenuri Party lawmaker, are also known as strong endorsers of Ban.

Lee and Ban built a close alumni relationship after graduating from Seoul National University, while Park and Ban were close alumni from Harvard Kennedy School.

Former foreign minister Yoo Jong-ha and former ambassador to Russia Chung Tae-ik, both close aides of Ban, are also reaching out to experts from various fields to encourage them to join Ban.

In the political circle, Rep. Chung Jin-suk of the ruling Saenuri Party is seen as Ban's core supporter, along with the party's lawmakers from Chungcheong Province, Ban's home area.

Chung, a former floor leader with close ties to Ban, also delivered Ban a message from former prime minister Kim Jong-pil, who said he would "do my utmost best to aid Ban's presidential run."

Meanwhile, Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs is expected to play an integral role in providing Ban with economy-related advice.

Sachs attended a press conference at Ban's residence in New York on Jan. 3, expressing his will to "carry out an advisory role for Ban, especially in regards to Korea's ailing economy."

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