By Kim Rahn
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited former President Lee Myung-bak, Thursday _ his first visit to a major politician after returning to Korea last week after finishing his term at the United Nations.
Their meeting came amid speculation that the conservative former President is backing Ban’s bid for the presidency. A number of Lee’s former aides are now helping Ban.
Ban visited Lee’s office in southern Seoul at 4 p.m., and talked about his 10 years as U.N. chief.
Lee told Ban, “You’ve worked for world peace and for the people in developing countries for the last 10 years. With that experience, I hope you will work hard here in Korea,” according to Lee’s former aide, Kim Hyo-jae.
Ban’s supporters said it was a courtesy call on a former president, similar to his earlier visit to the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, South Gyeongsang Province to pay his respects.
“During the meeting, Lee did not say he will help Ban. He always thinks it is not right for a former president to participate in current politics,” Kim said.
However, not many believe it was just a courtesy visit, considering Lee is the only former president who can have a political influence.
The visit comes a day after Lee’s former chief press officer Lee Dong-kwan said in a radio interview Wednesday that the former President asked him to help Ban’s presidential campaign in a discreet manner.
Lee’s former aides who have expressed their intention to join Ban’s campaign include Kwak Seung-jun, former chairman of the Presidential Council for Future and Vision; former senior secretary for political affairs Kim Doo-woo; former Labor Minister Yim Tae-hee; and Lee’s former foreign media spokeswoman Sohn Ji-ae.
With such figures, Ban is forecast to strengthen his position as a conservative candidate; while so far he has tried to distance himself from the scandal-ridden Park Geun-hye administration and woo liberal voters, describing himself as a “progressive conservative.”
Later in the day, Ban also visited former first lady Sohn Myung-soon, the wife of the late former President Kim Young-sam. He also paid a visit to Daejeon National Cemetery and had a meeting with outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert.
In the meantime, Ban has been facing continuous troubles from alleged gaffes.
The latest one was made when he had dinner with 30 young people in Daegu along with some journalists.
Ban earlier praised the controversial Korea-Japan deal on former sex slaves in December 2015. But as his praise drew criticism amid ongoing protests from victims, he took a step backward, saying upon his arrival in Korea, “A deal can become ultimate and perfect when it can resolve the victims’ deep sorrow.”
As some journalists repeatedly asked questions about his opinion about the deal during the dinner, Ban said, “The deal has paved the way for a resolution of the decades-long conflict following Japan’s apology and the fund provision. That’s what I meant. I didn’t mean the issue has been completely resolved.”
After the dinner, however, the conversation between Ban and Lee Do-woon, the leader of his supporters, was overheard, as he said, “They ask only about the issue. As if I made some historic mistake… they are bastards.”
Regarding the remark, Rep. Woo Sang-ho, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, said he was shocked by Ban cursing journalists, demanding he apologize to the public.
“Ban is one of the stronger presidential contenders, so it is the journalists’ duty to ask questions about his thoughts on behalf of the people,” Woo said before a party meeting. “It was not a desirable attitude to call them bastards only because they asked uncomfortable questions. A political leader, especially a person who wants to become president, should explain their opinion fully to encompass the people’s rights to know.”