By Kim Hyo-jin
New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in expressed hopes, Tuesday, that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join the party after his term at the U.N. ends next year.
"If Ban enters into politics, I believe he should go with the NPAD. I hope he will join hands with us," said Moon during a forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a group of senior journalists.
Asked if he has thought of recruiting Ban as a presidential candidate for the party to raise its competitiveness in the next presidential election, Moon replied "We're very interested."
He noted that Ban assumed the U.N. post after former President Roh Moo-hyun made diplomatic efforts on his behalf. Moon served as chief of staff in the Roh administration and was elected the U.N. chief in 2006.
"We helped Ban take the position," Moon said.
"Although he is reluctant to talk about the presidential race, expressing concerns about it undermining his current mission, we will make every effort to ensure that Ban joins the party after his term."
Ban's term is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2016. With less than two years until South Korea's next presidential election, of great interest is whether Ban will make a run for the presidency. The 71-year-old has been chosen as the most favored among potential presidential candidates in recent months.
Recent polls indicated that Ban would beat any other candidate in the 2017 presidential election regardless of what party he would represent.
Ban won all hypothetical two-way races by large margins, against ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung, NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.
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| Ban Ki-moon |
"If Ban enters into politics, I believe he should go with the NPAD. I hope he will join hands with us," said Moon during a forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a group of senior journalists.
Asked if he has thought of recruiting Ban as a presidential candidate for the party to raise its competitiveness in the next presidential election, Moon replied "We're very interested."
He noted that Ban assumed the U.N. post after former President Roh Moo-hyun made diplomatic efforts on his behalf. Moon served as chief of staff in the Roh administration and was elected the U.N. chief in 2006.
"We helped Ban take the position," Moon said.
"Although he is reluctant to talk about the presidential race, expressing concerns about it undermining his current mission, we will make every effort to ensure that Ban joins the party after his term."
Ban's term is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2016. With less than two years until South Korea's next presidential election, of great interest is whether Ban will make a run for the presidency. The 71-year-old has been chosen as the most favored among potential presidential candidates in recent months.
Recent polls indicated that Ban would beat any other candidate in the 2017 presidential election regardless of what party he would represent.
Ban won all hypothetical two-way races by large margins, against ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung, NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.
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