(25.1.2017) When Mr. Ban arrived home on Jan. 12, crowds of well-wishers turned out at the airport, waving flags and shouting, “Ban Ki-moon, please save this country!”

Yet there is also deep skepticism about his potential presidential bid, especially among the nation’s progressives. They say he is trying to be part of the establishment yet against it at the same time — a “Mr. Half-Half,” in the words of critics. (The word “ban” in Korean means “half.”)