Harvard Univ. hires former UN chief Ban Ki-moon

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who withdrew from Korea’s presidential race, has a new pulpit ― Harvard University.

Heading to the U.S. on Mar. 24, Ban, 72, will not teach regularly, but will hold occasional seminars as a visiting professor, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The tenure, which the American university particularly reserves for presidents or prime ministers, has been given to former Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Finnish President Tarja Halonen.

The university will offer Ban a secretary and a residence for him and his wife Yoo Soon-taek.

“Ban is expected to finish the job and return to Korea in July,” his aide said Thursday.

Before leaving for the U.S., Ban has several public events to attend.

These include a launching ceremony for his latest book on Mar. 16 and a global peace forum hosted by supporters from Chungcheong Province on Mar. 20.

Ban said his public appearances “by no means” implied that he intended to rejoin Korean politics.”

Ban announced on Feb. 1 he would not contest the presidential election, now slated for May 9.

His conservative supporters reportedly tried to persuade him to change his decision, but he refused. / The Korea Times