U.N. chief reaffirms intent to stay away from S. Korean politics: lawmaker

NEW YORK, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has no intention of getting involved in South Korean politics after his retirement as he wants to focus on his current job, a South Korean lawmaker said Saturday after meeting with him here.

Political watchers in Seoul say Ban, formerly a South Korean foreign minister, is
a potential presidential candidate, given his popularity and career. In
particular, they claim, the main opposition Democratic Party, short of potential
candidates, may try to solicit Ban's help once he retires.
In a number of private meetings with South Korean officials, however, Ban, a
life-time diplomat, said he has no interest in South Korea's domestic politics.
"Secretary-General Ban told us that he is not interested in local politics at
all," Rep. Park Jin of the ruling Grand National Party, who chairs the National
Assembly's Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee, said after Ban's
dinner meeting with a group of lawmakers visiting here for the annual
parliamentary audit of Seoul's diplomatic mission to the U.N.
It is the first time that Ban has openly expressed his intention to stay away
from the South Korean politics, especially in a meeting with ruling and
opposition lawmakers.
"Since the secretary-general has eagerly made clear his intentions, we all need
to help him do his best for his duty," Park said.
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