Ban Ki-moon outlines plan after his term as UN Secretary-General ends

The outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that working for a civil society will be one of the options after his term ends, without hinting that he would run for the presidency of South Korea.

In his last interview as UN secretary general and his first interview at his official residence in New York City, the South Korean diplomat said that it would take time for him to get clearer as to what to do after quitting the UN post.

“I will have to think very seriously what I need to do using my experience as former Secretary General of the United Nations — how I can do for your community, my country, or world at large. I’m ready to work as a member of a civil society for promotion of international peace and security, and whatever is required to do,” he told China’s Central Television (CCTV).

But Ban did not say anything about his intention to run for the presidency of his home country of South Korea, which has been plunged into a political chaos involving President Park Geun-hye and her long-time confidante.

“I’m not in a position to say anything publicly at this time. I have been closely watching what has been happening in Korea, my home country. I have seen many millions of people expressing their anger and frustration at the lack of good governors and there has been some question of some inclusive leadership,” he said.

He expressed the hope that South Korea, in which he takes much pride for its social and economic progress over the years, would draw lessons from the current chaos and build a better country.

“But I’m also proud, on the other hand, of the way international community has been looking at Korea as a successful model of economic development and democratic maturity in such a short period of time. So the Korean people should be very proud of what they have achieved,” he said.

“But now that they are experiencing such a very difficult political turmoil, I’m hoping that they would use this occasion as a way to look back, at what has happened, why all these things have gone wrong, and, more importantly, for a better future, how they can make sure to build better functioning political mechanisms based on their wisdom, and resilience and democratic maturity,” he added.

Ban was chosen to lead the United Nations 10 years ago. Under his leadership, the world has struggled through a series of crises, from Syria to Iran, from Ebola to climate change.