Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik on Wednesday said he is considering running in this year’s Seoul mayoral race.

“I am receiving requests from several people in the Saenuri Party, regardless of factions, to play a role in (promoting) the party (concerning the election),” Kim said.

Kim, currently residing in the U.S., hinted at the possibility of returning to Seoul as early as mid-March, which would give him about two months of preparation time before candidate registration begins on May 15.

Kim is currently serving as a senior advisor at the University of California, Berkeley, for the opening of the school’s Korea Law Center, a new research center dedicated to studying the Korean political and legal systems.

Kim cited his career in public office as a strength for his candidacy. He has served as a judge, Supreme Court justice and the chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, in addition to his most recent role as the country’s prime minister.

Kim declined to comment in interviews with local media on his specific plans if elected. He is likely to face steep competition as the incumbent mayor, Park Won-soon, enjoys a solid support rating in opinion polls.

Kim is among the three possible contenders from the Saenuri Party in the upcoming Seoul mayoral race, along with seven-term lawmaker Chung Mong-joon and former two-term lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon.

By Suh Ye-seul (sys@heraldcorp.com)