'Boy-band governor' surges in wide-open South Korea presidential race

Seoul

A PROVINCIAL governor nicknamed after a leading boy-band is surging in South Korean presidential polls following former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon's announcement that he would not run in an election that could come within months.

Governor An Hee-jung is seen as a down-to-earth, uncomplicated politician, traits that could serve him well in a nation roiled by December's impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, an election would be held in 60 days. "I want to be a president who would put up a basketball hoop in the yard of the Blue House and play basketball with aides," Mr An, a youthful-looking 51, said in a recent online video interview, referring to the presidential compound.