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Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Hong Seok-hyun recently raised eyebrows when he told reporters he could as early as September announce his candidacy for UN secretary-general. Critics say the ambassador has his hands full in his current job.
Press reports commented the envoy ought to concentrate on pressing matters including imminent six-party talks on North Korea¡¯s nuclear program and the Korea-U.S. alliance instead of eyeing pastures new. Since Washington, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is key to the appointment of the next head of the world body, any candidate needs to be on good terms with the U.S. Even so, France, Russia and China have opposed figures from U.S. allies for the post.
Diplomats dealing with the UN say no one who announced their candidacy early has ever got the job and wonder why Hong should be rushing into the race now. ¡°When you reveal your intention early, you come under intense attack from competing nations and minute scrutiny over tax evasion, speculation, diplomatic professionalism and ethics,¡± a senior government official said.
One explanation for Hong¡¯s announcement is that he is simply attempting to raise his profile in preparation for quite another race. Hong has dismissed as ¡°absurd¡± rumors that he wants to become president of Korea, yet rumors persist that that is his ultimate goal. The Hankyoreh Shinmun quoted a high-ranking ruling party official as saying after Hong was first appointed to Washington, ¡°I think he has a shot. It wouldn¡¯t be bad for him to join the ranks of ruling party candidates for president.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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