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Ban Ki-moon, former UN chief, drops South Korea presidency bid Ban Ki-moon, former UN chief, will not run for S Korea presidency
(about 13 hours later)
Former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has ruled himself out of the running for South Korean president. Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has ruled himself out of the running for the South Korean presidency.
In a surprise move, the leading conservative candidate blamed political slander and "various fake news" stories against him for his decision. Mr Ban, considered the conservative frontrunner, blamed political slander and "various fake news" stories against him for the surprise move.
His withdrawal is a boost for liberal candidate and front-runner Moon Jae-in. His decision is seen as a boost for liberal candidate Moon Jae-in.
South Korea is seeking to replace President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached in December after a long-running corruption scandal. South Korea is due to hold elections by the end of the year, but they could take place earlier if President Park Geun-hye is formally removed.
Mr Ban gave a brief news conference in which he said he wanted to use his 10 years' experience as UN chief to achieve national unity, but said he had been subjected to "malign slander akin to character assassination". Ms Park was impeached in December amid a long-running corruption scandal.
Slump in approval rating
Mr Ban gave a brief news conference on Wednesday in Seoul in which he said he wanted to use his 10 years of experience as UN chief to achieve national unity, but said he had been subjected to "malign slander akin to character assassination".
"With all kinds of fake news, my intention for political change was nowhere to be seen and all that was left was grave scars to my family and myself, and to the honour of the UN where I spent the past 10 years," he said."With all kinds of fake news, my intention for political change was nowhere to be seen and all that was left was grave scars to my family and myself, and to the honour of the UN where I spent the past 10 years," he said.
He said he was "disappointed by old-fashioned, narrow-minded egoistic attitudes by some politicians, and I came to a conclusion that it would be meaningless to work together with them".He said he was "disappointed by old-fashioned, narrow-minded egoistic attitudes by some politicians, and I came to a conclusion that it would be meaningless to work together with them".
Slump in approval rating Mr Ban had never officially declared he would run for the presidency but was at one time the perceived frontrunner.
South Korea has been gripped by political chaos since Ms Park was unseated. Millions took to the streets to protest against her leadership. But his approval ratings fell sharply as he faced criticism about his political competence, and he struggled to secure the significant party support.
She is now on a trial at the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether her impeachment is upheld or if she is returned to power.
If it is upheld, presidential elections will be held within two months rather than their proper date in December.
Mr Ban appeared to have significant support early in an unofficial campaign and was at one time the perceived frontrunner, but his approval ratings fell sharply as he faced criticism about his political competence.
He apologised in January after losing his temper at a press conference and calling reporters "jerks", and has denied allegations he took bribes from a businessman at the centre of a corruption scandal.He apologised in January after losing his temper at a press conference and calling reporters "jerks", and has denied allegations he took bribes from a businessman at the centre of a corruption scandal.
Mr Moon called Mr Ban's decision "unexpected" and said he would be willing to seek his advice on international affairs.Mr Moon called Mr Ban's decision "unexpected" and said he would be willing to seek his advice on international affairs.
The Constitutional Court is currently hearing the impeachment case against Ms Park, who denies wrongdoing. She has been relieved of official duties.
If the impeachment is upheld, presidential elections will be held within two months.