Ban Ki-moon Remarks

[Anchor Lead]

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held a farewell news conference with Korean correspondents in New York. He said he will do whatever he can for Korea, strongly hinting at presidential aspirations.

[Pkg]

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remark that at present, working for his home country of Korea is more urgent than serving as a global leader is interpreted as a strong statement of his intent to run for president.

[Soundbite] Ban Ki-moon(UN Secretary-General) : "I am willing to give my all if it contributes to Korea's development."

The UN chief said politics cannot be addressed on one's own, acknowledging the need to join forces with existing political circles, but stressed that the public matters more than party affiliation. When asked if he will meet President Park Geun-hye upon returning to Korea, Ban only cited plans to report to Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and the top 3 government officials. He also refuted criticism that he was distancing himself from followers of the late President Roh Moo-hyun who recommended him for the UN secretary general post, calling the accusations of 'betrayal' a political attack.

[Soundbite] Ban Ki-moon(UN Secretary-General) : "The accusation of betrayal is an intentional character attack. It's completely unacceptable."

Ban said criticisms he had leveled against foreign leaders now apply to Korea, and that he's returning home with a heavy heart.