South Korea’s presidential candidates

Five candidates are in the running to succeed South Korea’s disgraced former president Park Geun-hye, with opinion surveys placing liberal candidate Moon Jae-in as the frontrunner


Moon Jae-in
Democratic Party

Former legislator and human rights lawyer narrowly lost to Park in 2012 election. Favours closer relations with North Korea and reform of South Korea’s big conglomerates

Ahn Cheol-soo
People’s Party

Software mogul pulled out of 2012 election to support Moon. Supports international sanctions imposed on North but would press for future inter-Korean talks

Hong Jun-pyo
Liberty Korea

Hardline conservative heads rebranded faction of former ruling Saenuri Party. Advocates tough approach to North and redeployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in South Korea

Sim Sang-jung
Justice Party

Progressive lawmaker and former labour rights activist. Pledging to reduce rising wealth
inequality, reform conglomerates and adopt conciliatory North Korea policy

Yoo Seung-min
Bareun

Former aide to Park leads second Saenuri splinter faction. Wants stronger sanctions
against North and deployment of more U.S. THAAD missile batteries


Percentage figures from April 27 Realmeter survey conducted on 1,520 voters
nationwide, with margin of error of 2.5 points at 95 percent confidence level


Sources: CSIS, Korea Times, VOA, Yonhap 

Pictures: Associated Press 

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