The forma United Nations Chief Ban Ki-moon announced that he would not run for the Korean presidency after all. Although he didnt officially declare his run for the election, he had made a series of public appearance and presenting his political view since he returned to his home country last month.
Korean political commentator JS Suh said the announcement on Wednesday was quite earlier than expected but Bans drop out was highly anticipated as a result of his declining support in public opinion polls. It is believed that the career diplomat Ban couldnt handle the politics and he made up his mind after all.
Bans withdrawal leaves South Koreas conservatives without a clear candidate for the upcoming presidential elections. Meanwhile, Moon Jae-in from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea will likely maintain his lead over other candidates from the conservatives and liberals.
