Ban Ki-moon says he will stay out of politics
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to reporters while leaving his house in Sadang-dong, Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap
By Kim Hyo-jin
Ban Ki-moon won’t engage in the presidential race “in any form” and will stay out of politics, the former U.N. secretary-general said Thursday, the day after he abruptly gave up his bid for Cheong Wa Dae.
Ban told reporters he will refrain from political activities or supporting any presidential hopefuls during the campaign.
“I plan to refrain from engaging in politics while I stay in the country,” he said, denying the possibility of joining with existing political forces. “I will instead work on achieving national unity and reconciliation by making public speeches or participating in academic seminars.”
Ban said incumbent U.N. chief Antonio Guterres called to console him after his decision to quit the presidential race and gave similar advice.
“He mentioned I must have realized the difference between international and domestic politics, and it would be desirable to contribute to the country in a different way,” Ban said.
Ban’s sudden decision has fanned much speculation.
While he ostensibly blamed existing politicians for being difficult to work with due to their “lack of integrity,” some raised suspicions the U.N. advised him to pull out of the race.
But Ban said the main reason was that his aspirations for political reform and unity across the ideological spectrum were dashed by interest-seeking politicians.
Since his return to Korea on Jan. 12, Ban had contacted political parties and heavyweights to gain support for his presidential bid while staying outside of political circles.
The newcomer in domestic politics earlier laid out a plan for constitutional revision, a move seen as an attempt to unify political forces under his wing. But it met a cool reception as his approval rating was faltering.
“I’ve met politicians for about three weeks and just realized it would be difficult to achieve a grand unity, pulling them together,” he said.
“There was no practical idea or plan I was able to share with them, even after I spent one or two hours with each politician. Their way of thinking is very complicated.”
Though his support had fallen ― trailing Moon Jae-in, the former opposition leader and leading presidential hopeful ― Ban’s abrupt withdrawal was a big shock, even to his aides.
They said they had no idea until Ban made the announcement at an impromptu press conference at the National Assembly.
Apologizing to them, Ban said if he had consulted his aides on quitting, “I knew they would stop me from doing so.”