Politicians seek connections with Ban
By Kang Seung-woo
Ban Ki-moon
With U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon well ahead of potential rivals for next year’s presidential election in public polls, political activities are increasing in his hometown and surrounding areas in the Chungcheong provinces.
Recently, people from the region have been promoted to high-ranking positions in the government, stoking speculation that such appointments are linked to a potential run for the top office by Ban.
In addition, although the presidential election is more than a year away, politicians and influential figures have already rushed to the region to establish a connection with the U.N. chief, who plans to return home in January after completing his term in December.
According to the latest public surveys, Ban, who was born in Eumseong and attended schools in Chungju, both of which are in the provinces, would still beat any other candidate in the presidential election.
In a survey conducted by the local daily Joong-Ang Ilbo Monday, Ban ranked first with support of 32.7 percent, trailed by Moon Jae-in, a former chairman of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, with 17.3 percent and Ahn Cheol-soo, a former co-chairman of the People’s Party, with 8.1 percent.
Another survey by the Chosun Ilbo, released on the same day, found that Ban also held a comfortable lead over the two potential rivals as his approval rating stood at 27.4 percent against Moon’s 16.5 and Ahn’s 8.2.
Although Ban, a career diplomat, has never explicitly mentioned his presidential ambitions, he could possibly run in the election on the Saenuri Party ticket.
Without a clear successor to President Park Geun-hye, the ruling party ― particularly those loyal to her ― has courted Ban.
As Ban is enjoying steady popularity, the Chungcheong provinces have been put on the political map. The region has long remained on the political periphery as other regions, such as southeastern Gyeongsang and southwestern Jeolla provinces, have effectively dominated the nation’s political landscape.
The ruling party floor leader, Rep. Chung Jin-suk, is from Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, while presidential chief of staff Lee Won-jon is from Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, as well.
Along with them, Kim Jung-hoon, who attended the same high school as Ban, took the top post of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Army Gen. Leem Ho-young, from Eumseong, became the deputy commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, last week.
For this reason, some Saenuri politicians from the region, who failed to win a nomination for the April 13 general election, are said to be exploring ways to make a connection with Ban as a steppingstone in resurrecting their careers.
In addition, some of them have participated in Firefly, the nation’s first online fan club for the U.N. chief that plans to hold an inaugural general meeting on Nov. 10 to begin activities in earnest. The club was established in June.