(LinkAsia: November 30, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
South Koreans go to the polls in three weeks to elect a new president. The campaign officially got underway this week and two candidates are leading opinion polls. Here's how Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported the first day of electioneering.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: November 22, 2012

Reporter:
Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri party is one of the front runners. She visited a national cemetery in Seoul where she paid her respects to those who died in the Korean War and other conflicts. Park expressed her determination to become the country's first female president.

Park Geun-hye:
South Korea has to choose whether it wants to move forward with a prepared future or go back to the past, which is marked with failure. We are now standing at a crucial crossroads.

Reporter:
Park also said she will promise to build a nation where everyone can lead a happy life. She's locked in a tight race with Moon Jae-in of the opposition Democratic United Party. He spoke in the second largest city of Busan near his hometown.

Moon Jae-in:
I promise to become the first president to democratize the economy, and establish a strong welfare system through a new type of politics.

Reporter:
Moon also talked about entrepreneur turned politician Ahn Cheol-soo. Ahn dropped out of the race last week to give Moon a better chance of victory when voters head to the polls on December 19th. Moon said he'll never forget Ahn's sacrifice. He asked Ahn's supporters to back him.

(LinkAsia: September 21, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
The South Korean presidential race has just been shaken up. A popular internet entrepreneur and scholar named Ahn Cheol-soo finally declared his candidacy. Ahn has no prior political experience, and is not affiliated with any established political party. Here's Japanese broadcaster NHK on Ahn's candidacy.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: September 19, 2012

Reporter:
It's a moment people in South Korea, especially the media has been waiting for. Ahn Cheol-soo walked into his press conference in Seoul and the nation chose to listen.

Ahn Cheol-soo:
I hereby announce my candidacy for the 18th presidential election.

Reporter:
Ahn is considered the Bill Gates of South Korea. The 50 year old he is a former software entrepreneur well-known for his development of anti-virus software. He has never been a politician, and he has no official ties with either of the country's two main political parties.

Ahn Cheol-soo:
Let's walk along together. We can change our lives only when politics changes.

Reporter:
Analysts say that could help him attract many young voters.

Man on the street #1:
Ahn can do a great job because everyone is so disappointed with our present politicians. I want a politics that creates a fair society.

Man on the street #2:
He will bring a fresh wind into politics. It could be chance for the middle class to have a better life.

Reporter:
Ahn's candidacy has turned to presidential election into a three-way race. He is up against the frontrunner in the polls, Park Gyeun-hye. She is the ruling Saenuri party's nominee and daughter of our late President. Moon Jae-in is the other main candidate. He represents the opposition Democratic United Party. He was once an aid to late Former president Roh Moo-hyun. Ahn is trying to set himself apart from his opponent by advertising his political
independence.

Ahn Cheol-soo:
With this election I would like to unify the national spirit that is calling for change.
New change will begin when the people make their choice.

Reporter:
Ahn is a late entry to this Presidential race. His candidacy is expected to give the campaign a jolt. South Koreans will decide which direction they want to go in when they vote on December 19th. Soichi Sakamoto, NHK World, from Seoul.