(News Focus) Ban's potential presidential bid rocks S. Korean political landscape

By Song Sang-ho

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- After U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hinted Wednesday at the possibility of his presidential bid in next year's election, ruling and opposition parties are carefully pondering what steps to take to turn the political tide in their own favor.

During his visit to South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju, Ban said he would contemplate what he should do when he returns to his home country in January next year after completing two terms as U.N. chief.

His remarks were construed by many here as an expression of political ambitions toward a bid for the presidential Cheong Wa Dae. Though he has long been considered as an odds-on presidential contender, Ban had long maintained a noncommittal stance, distancing himself from domestic politics. He has repeatedly said that he wants to concentrate on his duties at the U.N.

Ban's potential bid for presidency is welcome news for the ruling Saenuri Party that has been struggling to find its powerful standard-bearer while the opposition parties have already had their lineup of presidential hopefuls -- Rep. Moon Jae-in, the former leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the co-chair of the minority People's Party.

"Our (Saenuri) party will ready itself to bring Ban in (as its presidential candidate)," a ruling party official told Yonhap News Agency over the phone. "Why shouldn't he use his know-how and experience learned on the international arena for his motherland?"

There are those who still think Ban could run for presidency on an opposition ticket, yet he has long been considered a ruling party candidate as some Saenuri Party lawmakers -- particularly those loyal to President Park Geun-hye -- have repeatedly raised the prospect of him turning into the ruling party's prohibitive favorite.

Ban's decision to become a presidential contention is expected to pose new complications in the increasingly crowded political landscape leading up to the make-or-break election and may well trigger a realignment of the opposition bloc, local pundits said.

Opposition parties' potential presidential contenders -- Moon and Ahn -- have taken first and second place, respectively in recent polls over the popularity of presidential hopefuls. But Ban's entry into the race could tip the scale in favor of the ruling party, political watchers said.

A survey, conducted early this year, found that Ban led other potential presidential contenders, including Moon and Ahn.

"Should Ban take shape as a presidential frontrunner, which opposition candidate would face off against Ban will be a crucial variable (rather than which opposition candidate can be elected as president)," an official of the Minjoo Party said on condition of anonymity.

Others in the opposition camp expressed concerns that Ban will distance himself from real-world politics as far as he can so as not become a target of attacks.

"If he keeps the right amount distance while remaining in the political limelight he can generate interest and hope, while not taking responsibility for any problems that politicians like Moon and Ahn have to tackle," the insider said.

On the other hand, though Ban's extensive experience in the field of diplomacy has been touted as one attractive point to appeal to voters here, some analysts downplayed the possibility of him successfully going through the tough electoral campaign routinely beset by ugly mudslinging.

"He has never gone through any vetting process yet (as a potential political leader)," a politician said, declining to be named. "He is just one of the potential presidential contenders."

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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