Candidates in S. Korea polls focus on economy

The economy tops the agenda as South Korea's presidential candidates from both the liberal and conservative parties compete for the June 3 election.

Based on the top 10 election pledges by each candidate published on the National Election Commission website on Wednesday, Lee Jaemyung of the liberal Democratic Party, a front-runner in the polls, and his key rival Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party listed economic growth as their No 1 priority.

Lee said he aims to develop South Korea into "a leading global economic powerhouse" while achieving a fair economic structure for small and medium-sized enterprises. Kim, a former labor minister, stressed "freedom-driven growth" and making the country a place where businesses thrive to empower the private sector and foster innovation.