According to the International Business Times, Pyongyang's state-run Uriminzokkiri website called Ban's ambition "absurd" because of how poorly he handled his position as UN chief. The North Korean website also called Ban out on his bad domestic reputation, labeling him as an opportunist who "sets sail wherever window blow," the newspaper added.
During a December 16 press conference, Ban was asked if he would run for the presidency in South Korea. While Ban did not confirm his decision or intent, he did say that he will "really consider seriously" what he would be able to do for his country moving forward.
On December 9, South Korea's parliament voted in favor of removing President Park Geun-hye from office as the president was at the center of a scandal around "secret adviser" Choi Soon-sil, who is said to have pressured the county's biggest corporations and extorted money from them for her non-commercial funds abroad.
