By Yi Whan-woo



Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appears to be bolstering his efforts to expand his support base before he returns home ― possibly next week ― by commenting on political issues.



He recently backed former People's Party co-chairman Ahn Cheol-soo's proposal for the parliamentary constituency regulation to be revamped so more than one lawmaker can be elected from a single district, Ban's aides said, Tuesday.



Ban, who completed his U.N. tenure on Dec. 31, may return home on Jan. 12, three days earlier than he initially planned, according to his aides.



Analysts speculated that Ban's support for Ahn is aimed at joining forces with established politicians, especially conservatives and those from the center-right.



The experts said Ban also has supported the idea of a constitutional amendment for a single, five-year presidency.



Several potential presidential candidates from the ruling and opposition camps support the idea while Moon Jae-in, Ban's biggest rival from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is against it.



"The proposed constitutional amendment is to ease the centralized power of a president and revamping the regulation on parliamentary constituencies could be the first step to achieve such a goal," said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University. "Ban is believed to be trying to show the potential presidential candidates other than Moon that he shares the same political goal as them and that they will work fine if they join hands."



Shin positively assessed Ban's change in plan to return to Korea on Jan. 12, citing the political crisis in the wake of President Park Geun-hye's impeachment last month.



"Considering the political turmoil, Ban will need time to see it for himself and get used to it as early as possible," he said.



Meanwhile, Ban did not call Park this year as part of his New Year's greetings to high-profile figures, according to Cheong Wa Dae.



