United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at his final press conference at the United Nations headquarters on Dec. 16. Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hinted at a possible presidential run in South Korea during his final press conference in New York.

Ban, who is concluding his 10-year term at the U.N. in 15 days, did not give a direct answer on the question, but said that he would "really consider seriously" his chances, The New York Times reported Friday.


Fielding questions from reporters after he described the war in Syria as a "gaping hole in the global conscience," Ban said that the Korean people are "desperate" for a new form of "inclusive leadership," South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

Ban was referring to the popular dissatisfaction with impeached President Park Geun-hye, who is waiting on a final court decision on whether she should step down.

Mass protests were held every weekend in Seoul and other cities in South Korea, organized by citizens demanding the resignation of Park, who is suspected of abusing her power while in office and giving an influential friend access to state secrets without proper clearance.

On Friday Ban described the political scandal involving Park and Choi Soon-sil as one of the biggest crises South Koreans have encountered.

The U.N. secretary-general added that he knows Koreans do not want to lose the democracy and economic development that they worked so hard to achieve, according to Yonhap.

Ban also said that he understands people's anxieties about the country's future, while adding he's confident the country would overcome current challenges.

In addition to the deterioration of inter-Korea relations during Park's term as president, South Koreans have been unhappy about a general sense of economic decline marked by low growth and diminished job prospects for young people.

Ban said he would speak to friends and advisors before making a final decision to run.

South Korean opposition party candidate Moon Jae-in has already announced his candidacy and has been increasing his base of support.