Mr. Ban Ki-Moon

Former UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-Moon officially declared that he would run for president at the press conference he held immediately after he arrived at Incheon International Airport on Jan. 12, 2016. He arrived at the airport at 5:39 p.m. on the day.

"I will definitely make a grand compromise among the all South Korean people," Mr. Ban said at the hastily arranged press meeting with the local journalists.

"Such problems as the accumulations of the wealths at the hands of a few, and conflicts of divided ideology and hostile regionalism, should be ended," Mr. Ban added. "I will compromise the divided opinion among the people"

"Cronyism within the ruling class, and their inveterate privilege should no longer be tolerated," Mr. Ban roared. "All the social leaders are responsible for these"

Analysts say that Mr. Ban's remarks mean that he does not want to work with ruling forces of pro-Park Geun-Hye and of pro-Moon Jae-In of the Democratic Party.

"For the last 10 years or so I, as UN chief, have made my efforts for peace of the mankind, human rights protection of the weak, the development of the poor countries, the climate change, and gender equality," Mr. Ban stressed.

He went on to say that he realized how important the national security is by witnessing war calamities in various places in the world for the last 10 years.

"I personally saw and felt how a leader's failure could ruin people's lives," Mr. Ban emphasized.

Mr. Ban added that international political situation surrounding South Korea can have a huge influence upon the national security and economic trade of South Korea.

"We need to fasten our ties with US, China, Russian, and Japan over the North Korean nuclear issue, and should urgently make necessary steps," Mr. Ban explained.

Mr. Ban also showed a great interest in the young people of the nation, by saying "As a seasoned former UN chief I will do my best to guide them in the right direction so that they can grow as a nation's leader."

"I will devote myself to making the divided nation to be the world's first-rate country," he stressed. "I will not change my mind for this goal"

Mr. Ban also criticized the nation's political circle and both ruling and opposition political leaders for the current national crisis caused by the misrule of the disgraced President Park Geun-Hye, who awaits the impeachment process by the Constitutional Court.

"Our nation and society are divided by the political battles, and this is our national disaster," he raised his voice. "We should no longer waste our time, and should change the whole old system of politics, not regime alone"

Mr. Ban praised the recent candle light protests staged by millions of democratic-minded people, by saying "It is a miracle made by the people in 2016."