US expert: Ban can be good president of S. Korea

Outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon can be a good president of South Korea as he has extensive international experience and proven his ability to get things done during his 10 years at the helm of the United Nations, Yonhap quoted a foreign affairs expert as saying Monday.

Anders Corr, a security and foreign policy expert, made the case in an article in Forbes magazine, noting Ban is considering a run for president of his home country. It also came as South Korea is reeling from a massive corruption scandal rocking President Park Geun-hye.

"Some argue that Ban Ki-moon will be unable to lead in South Korea because after 10 years at the UN, he is out of touch with the reality of South Korean politics. But the plurality of South Korean voters disagree, and have indicated that he is their choice for president in 2017," Corr said.

Ban is the only potential candidate who regularly achieves more than 20 percent in polls, he said.

"Given the tense relationships that South Korea currently has with China, Japan and North Korea, a president who has extensive international experience is precisely what the country and region needs," he said.

Corr rejected criticism that Ban is not a strong leader, arguing that he's engaged in "tough diplomacy," such as criticizing the UN Security Council for not protecting civilians in Syria and denouncing Israeli settlement building in the West Bank.

Ban has also proven his ability to get things done, such as the adoption of the Paris climate change agreement set to take effect this month and finalizing the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will guide global development for the next 15 years, he said.

"After years of diplomacy and political experience in South Korea, he understands what leaders and nations stand to gain from cooperation, international law and justice, and so can further it in his work as president," Corr said.

"He has a strong sense of judgment and the moral good, which is essential to addressing the many issues he will face, including corruption in domestic politics and a rising authoritarian China," he added.

Ban, whose term expires at year's end, plans to return to South Korea in mid-January. His return is a key focus of attention as he has long been talked about as a potential candidate for next year's presidential election in his home country.

Even though he has refused to discuss such a possibility, he has never ruled it out either.

Ban also said that after returning to Korea, he will discuss with friends and others what role he should play in Korea's future. 

He even said, "Options are still open" and he will "ponder seriously what will be the best way for me to use my time, my experience as secretary-general."

Source: MENA