[Anchor]
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is being mentioned as a potential presidential contender for the ruling camp, is returning to South Korea tomorrow (October 12). His aides stated that he will focus on people's livelihoods until the Lunar New Year holiday.
Reporter Kim Jeong-in reports.
[Reporter]
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will depart from New York early tomorrow morning and arrive at Incheon International Airport at 5:30 p.m.
Ban plans to hold a press conference at the airport to state his position regarding his return, before heading to his residence in Sadang-dong, Seoul, by car.
[Lee Dowoon, Spokesperson for Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "National harmony and national unity are expected to be the main messages, and prior to that, a report on his activities at the UN will also be included."]
Ban's side stated that while he initially planned to take the subway, the plan was changed out of concern that it might cause inconvenience to travelers.
The day after tomorrow, Ban will visit the Seoul National Cemetery to pay his respects at the gravesites of former presidents, followed by a two-day, one-night visit on October 14 to his hometowns of Eumseong and Chungju in North Chungcheong Province.
Spokesperson Lee Dowoon stated that Ban will subsequently focus on activities related to the public's livelihood until the Lunar New Year holiday, including visits to the gravesite of former President Roh Moo-hyun and Paengmok Port in Jindo.
His regional itinerary will be conducted simply and modestly by reducing his entourage and protocol.
[Lee Dowoon, Spokesperson for Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "He wants to keep things simple and modest, so you may see him traveling with surprising modesty even when visiting regional areas."]
Regarding the indictment of Ban's younger brother, Ki-sang, and nephew, Joo-hyun, in federal court in Manhattan, New York, on charges of attempting to bribe Middle Eastern officials with 600 million won, spokesperson Lee said, "Former Secretary-General Ban also learned about it through news reports and must have been very surprised."
He also emphasized that Ban will clearly state his stance on various allegations, including suspicions of receiving money from Taekwang Industry Chairman Park Yeon-cha.
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