Facing growing speculation about a possible run for the presidency in 2017, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement denying media reports that he was interested in running for the highest office in Korea.

Ban said that he has consistently stated his position that it was inappropriate to link him to domestic politics, in disregard of his own wishes, and asked that the media stop reporting on him in relation to domestic politics, including opinion polls.

The last few days have seen a flood of reports on Ban as a possible presidential candidate for 2017. While Ban had often been mentioned as a possible candidate, the reports this time were more specific.

The latest speculation was triggered by an opinion poll conducted Oct. 17-18 by Hangil Research. In a survey of 1,000 people on who they supported as the next presidential candidate, 39.7 percent of the respondents said they supported Ban. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, also often cited as a presidential contender despite his insistence that he remains focused on his role as Seoul mayor, trailed far behind, with 13.5 percent of the respondents supporting him. New Politics Alliance for Democracy legislator Moon Jae-in recorded 9.3 percent support while Kim Moo-sung, Saenuri Party chairman, received 4.9 percent.

On Oct. 29, the pro-Park Geun-hye faction of the Saenuri Party held a meeting where a head of another polling firm gave a presentation on how potential presidential contenders for 2017 were faring in terms of support. The presentation was subtitled, “Focusing on various variables, including the possibility of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon running for presidency.” Adding fuel to the speculation that Ban was being seriously considered as a Saenuri candidate was the timing of the event: It took place a few days after the Blue House publicly raised issue with Saenuri chairman Kim’s remarks on a constitutional revision, remarks that clashed head-on with President Park’s position on the matter.

The main opposition party wasted no time in claiming that it was in talks with Ban’s close associates about running on an NPAD ticket. On Monday, Kwon Roh-kap, an NPAD senior adviser, claimed that Ban’s close associates had recently approached him about the possibility of the NPAD taking the U.N. secretary-general as its presidential candidate. The following day, yet another senior NPAD member went on a radio show and reminded listeners that Ban was the late Roh Moo-hyun’s foreign minister when he was elected U.N. secretary-general, noting how the Roh administration fully supported Ban’s bid for the top U.N. post.

The overwhelming support for Ban over other potential candidates reflects the sorry state of politics in Korea today. Disenchanted with politics and not seeing any vision of a better future in the presidential hopefuls, people are turning toward a non-politician, a messianic figure to deliver the country out of its current mess and lead the people to a brighter tomorrow. Ban’s role as a global leader solving the world’s troubles, often with a high moral rectitude that his office enjoys, is enough to attract supporters. It is also to his advantage that Ban has never been muddied in Korea’s vicious political arena. Indeed, Ban is seen as a Mr. Clean, a Mr. Nice Guy who can deliver us from evil politics. No wonder political parties want him on their side.

However, it should be remembered that Ban, the native son of whom we are very proud, still has two more years to serve as the U.N. secretary-general and that he has many pressing global issues that demand his attention. We should help him do his job well, not let domestic politics hinder his performance or tarnish his reputation.