Chung Mong-joon reveals desire for presidential bid

LOS ANGELES (Yonhap) -- A South Korean lawmaker and businessman, internationally known for his role in the football governing body FIFA, said Monday that he has set his sights on next year's presidential election.

"Personally, I have much to improve (about myself) but I will try hard to become the presidential candidate of the Grand National Party (GNP)," Rep. Chung Mong-joon said in a meeting with Korean residents here.

Chung's remarks were his clearest public statement yet of his intent to run for the presidency.

Chung, the outgoing FIFA vice president and a scion of the South Korean conglomerate Hyundai Group, is on a trip here to attend a political forum.

He added that the ruling GNP needs to have presidential hopefuls "who are competent in the eyes of the people."

The six-term lawmaker emphasized that South Korea's leader should have expertise not only in politics but also on the economy.

In 2002, Chung ran for the presidency but withdrew his bid to form a coalition with another candidate, Roh Moo-hyun, who won the election.