Ban arrived in his home country last week for a six-day visit that has been dominated by speculation over a possible run for the South Korean presidency in 2017 – after he steps down from his UN post at the end of this year.
An initial statement that he might seek “advice” on what to do when he returns to South Korea as an ordinary citizen, was jumped on by local media as the clearest indication yet that he is considering the role.
But today, Ban said he was “baffled” by the “exaggerated” spin put on his remarks and insisted there was no personal or political element to his visit.
“I hope you will refrain from over-interpreting or speculating about my actions here,” Ban told a press conference in the southern city of Gyeongju, where he is attending a UN conference of NGOs.