'Sung influenced Sri Lanka for Ban's election'

17 April 2015 08:59 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Deceased Keangnam Enterprises Chairman Sung Woan-jong claimed that he contributed considerably to the election of Ban Ki-moon as United Nations secretary general,Sung's associates were quoted as saying by a vernacular newspaper.

Sung claimed that he had close ties with then Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he urged to persuade his country's candidate, JayanthaDhanapala, to withdraw his candidacy and support Ban in the 2006 election for the post.

During the initial stage of the election, Thailand Deputy Prime Minister SurakiartSathirathai and India's ShashiTharoor, who served as U.N. under secretary general, were cited as favorites.

After the U.N. Security Council conducted three straw votes but failed to choose a winner, Sri Lanka's Dhanapala withdrew his candidacy, declaring his support for Ban, at the end of September.

Following the Sri Lankan candidate's resignation, Ban moved to the top with 14 yes votes and one abstention from the 15 member states during the fourth straw poll on Oct. 2.

The General Assembly elected Ban on Oct. 13.

"My personal ties with the Sri Lanka President did the job," Sung was quoted as telling his associates, according to the DongAIlbo. "I told the President to support Ban as Dhanapala seemed to have a slim chance of being elected."

The newspaper added that Ban expressed his gratitude to Sung for his help.

Sung's construction firm moved into Sri Lanka in 1978, engaging in housing and other infrastructure projects.

Sung was found dead on April 9 in an apparent suicide amid the prosecution's investigation into allegations of fraud and a slush fund involving the failed "energy diplomacy" conducted under the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak.

The controversy has also impacted the U.N. chief as Sung professed a special connection with Ban during a KyunghyangShinmun interview conducted right before his death.

Sung has been wielding influence in the political sector since he founded the Chungcheong Forum in 2000 with a network of politicians, public officials and journalists from the Chungcheong region. The forum has some 3,500 members.

Ban, Lee and Sung all hail from the region. Sung claimed his support for Ban as the next presidential runner would have made Lee unhappy. Lee denied that he harbored any resentment toward Ban and Sung.

Ban also denied the allegations that he and Sung had special ties.

"The ongoing case is not related to me. I saw Sung several times on official occasions such as the gathering of the Chungcheong Forum, but I don't have personal ties with him," he told reporters. "I have made clear that I have no interest in domestic politics." (The Korea Times)

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Comments - 11

gobbaya Friday, 17 April 2015 05:32 PM

modawansha...pls scream hoarse against these allegations against ur noda king.... via DM Android App

True Sri Lankan Friday, 17 April 2015 07:26 PM

Gobbaya...you are damn looser. First read the news item carefully and then start commenting. Do not try to damn rascal. Do not dishonor tha leader who saved the country from terrorism after buying in unsolicited accusations.

issun Friday, 17 April 2015 08:18 PM

Back in the day, Sri Lanka played a part in international affairs ... Now a disgraced Ex-President says the current PM was "Just Joking" when he made a moronic statement which made Sri Lanka look like the slow child eating glue in the corner among the international community. 100 days anyone?

Dee Friday, 17 April 2015 11:36 PM

War victory. War victory. War victory. Blah! Blah! Blah! Wake Up! One person cannot win a war!

Cyril n Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:09 AM

The public can see for themselves who decided on our foreign policies on important issues during the time of MR.and further against our own candidate for this high position. Very national minded - is it!!!!!

Mevan Saturday, 18 April 2015 04:07 AM

It is quite clear the actions of "noda king" MARA deprived Jayantba D from being Secy. Gen. of UN even with a slim chance. The million dollar question is how much it cost Sung.

Nims Saturday, 18 April 2015 05:08 AM

Illa gena kaawa

siribiris Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:22 AM

Baluwaama meyath apea minihek

Gomin Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:23 PM

The country was saved by heroic soldiers, sailor,airmen and policemen and not by any other THUG.

Nuwan Sunday, 19 April 2015 04:46 AM

The deeds of a "patriotic" despot is being exposed one by one.

Senator Sunday, 19 April 2015 10:41 AM

Ban the No.1 western countries Stooge.

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'Sung influenced Sri Lanka for Ban's election'

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