Popular S. Korean software mogul declares presidential bid

（Xinhua）  10:09, September 20, 2012

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ahn Cheol-soo, a popular South Korean entrepreneur-turned-professor, broke his long silence Wednesday to officially declare his presidential bid.

"People have expressed their aspirations for political changes through me," the mild-mannered 50-year-old Seoul National University professor told a throng of reporters during a nationally televised press conference. "I will run for president."

The announcement ended months of frenzied media speculation over the future political trajectory of Ahn, long considered one of the strongest potential presidential hopefuls looking to replace President Lee Myung-bak when his five-year term ends early next year.