By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, January 6 -- Ban Ki-moon's relations with the press, particularly the Korean press, were on display Thursday at the UN.
At the day's noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky about a story in the Korea Herald quoting a “senior UN official” -- on information and belief senior advisory Kim Won-soo -- that Ban “said it was extremely unfortunate that he was named as a [South Korean] presidential contender in opinion polls despite having repeatedly said that he has no intention to run in the presidential elections.”
The Korea Herald also published these quotes: “It is our duty to free Secretary General Ban from domestic politics so he can serve the world,' Han Seung-soo, chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute, was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. 'Repeated mentions of his name in domestic politics would be disadvantageous for him as he performs his role as the U.N. secretary general.'”
Inner City Press asked Nesirky if Han Seung-soo is still functioning as an advisor to Ban on climate change, and if he was speaking for Ban. Nesirky replied that Ban too busy on such issues as Cote d'Ivoire and Sudan, which Inner City Press also asked about, to have time for the Korea Herald article.
Then Nesirky abruptly called the day's noon briefing to a close, say that Ban was about to tour the press area.
Upstairs, Ban and his titular chief of staff Vijay Nambiar moved slowed around the press floor, shaking hands and commenting on whether the cubicles are adequate for journalism. Inner City Press said that enclosed walls were needed for “quiet diplomacy,” at which Ban laughed.
After touring the cluster of Japanese media desk in what has been dubbed the A or Asian room, Ban was shown the entirely empty side of the room devoted to Korean publications. Ban read their names. An enterprising journalist informed Ban that often the Korean do not come in to use their desks, while other reporters need space - and some long time reporters are being ejected from their UN desks.
While Ban did not respond to this, Choi Soung-ah who works in Nesirky's office told the reporter that “we are aware of that.” Inner City Press has previously reported on this -- click here, and watch this site.
