Presidential Election

[Anchor Lead]

With the 19th South Korean presidential election eleven days away, the candidates of the main political parties are stumping in various regions of the country. Here’s a roundup of campaign pledges they have unveiled.

[Pkg]

Presidential candidate Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party stressed effective national security through a transfer of power. He expressed reservations in his stance regarding the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system, saying in a debate that there is still room for dialogue with the U.S., China and North Korea.

[Soundbite] Moon Jae-in(Democratic Party Presidential Candidate) : "Regarding the THAAD deployment, there is still room for dialogue with the U.S., China and North Korea."

With no public appearances scheduled for Friday, Moon will prepare for a joint TV debate to be held later tonight. Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberal Korea Party claimed that the presidential race has become a match between three leading candidates, and that he can overtake Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party.

[Soundbite] Hong Joon-pyo(Liberty Korea Party Presidential Candidate) : "The tide is turning. From now on, I will change the game in the next ten days."

Hong announced a campaign pledge to reiplement capital punishment for perpetrators of heinous crimes in order to ensure public safety. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party appealed to voters for support, vowing to get the nation back on track with a grand unified government despite earlier setbacks caused by factionalism.

[Soundbite] Ahn Cheol-soo(People's Party Presidential Candidate) : "Hong Joon-pyo is receiving applause from supporters of Moon Jae-in. Did you know that?"

He also met with former Democratic Party interim leader Kim Jong-in on Thursday night and asked for support. Yoo Seong-min of the Bareun Party visited Daegu and joined his close aides in their long march across the nation, reiterating his plan to finish the presidential race.

[Soundbite] Yoo Seong-min(The Bareun Party Presidential Candidate) : "We must not be deterred, but carry on to the end. To the end!"

Yoo's schedule for Friday includes a meeting with apartment security guards to listen to the difficulties they face. Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party announced her ambition to turn the presidential race into a two-way match between her and Moon Jae-in.

[Soundbite] Sim Sang-jung(Justice Party Presidential Candidate) : "This is a presidential race that has stemmed from the candlelight rallies. The most desirable structure of this candlelight race is a match between Moon Jae-in and Sim Sang-jung."

On Friday, she meets with acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea Marc Knapper to discuss the crisis situation on the Korean Peninsula.