UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the latest scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye's influence-peddling confidante, one of his acquaintances said Monday, marking a rare remark from the potential presidential contender on domestic issues.

"I hope the situation is settled in the near future. I am really concerned," Ban was quoted as saying by a former provincial lawmaker who met him last week. Ban has been refraining from making comments on issues at home, adding he will concentrate on his role at the UN. Ban also said he hopes for the normalization of state affairs through prompt countermeasures. The UN head added he will return to South Korea in mid-January, saying he will contemplate his role for the country.

South Korea's public and political realm have been struck by the so-called Choi Soon-sil scandal amid the allegation that Choi influenced power over state affairs without an official position in President Park Geun-hye's administration on the back of her 40-year-old friendship with the president.

The scandal is also set to be a key factor in next year's election as it dealt a harsh blow to the conservative bloc and the ruling Saenuri Party.

Although Ban never directly expressed his willingness to join the race, local polls showed he stands as the most-favored contender among the conservative bloc. (Yonhap)