"If what I have learned, seen and felt during my 10-year service as U.N. secretary-general could help advance the Republic of Korea, I am willing to fully devote myself to it," Ban said at a meeting with South Korean journalists in New York, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.
Though Ban did not clearly announce a decision to join the presidential race in South Korea next year, his candidacy for presidency has long been discussed.
"Though my capacity is limited, I will not be sparing of myself if my know-how is needed to develop the country and enhance citizens' welfare and livelihoods," Ban said, as quoted by the agency.
South Korean parliament decided to impeach the President Park Geun-hye on December 9 after it became known that the president's close friend Choi Soon-sil, who does not hold any official posts in the government or president's administration, got familiar with texts of dozens of president's speeches and possibly used her ties to the president for her own financial benefit. Choi, as well as 2 former officials from the president's administration, have been arrested and accused of corruption and abuse of authority.
The Constitutional Court has six months to decide upon validity of the parliament's impeachment of Park. If the impeachment is recognized valid, presidential elections should be called within 2 months.
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