To make a country of equal opportunity and to become a leader that communicates with the public.
These were few of the many promises made on Sunday by presidential hopeful Kim Doo-kwan of the main opposition Democratic United Party as he officially announced his bid to run for president.
Kim, who resigned as South Gyeongsang Governor last week, is known for being a strong supporter of the late President Roh Moo-hyun.
However, he faces tough competition from other DUP candidates, such as heavyweights Moon Jae-in and Sohn Hak-kyu.
The local media has called him the "rising dark horse" as some DUP lawmakers have been urging him to run for president.
Meanwhile, the ruling Saenuri Party's presidential frontrunner Park Geun-hye is expected to officially announce her candidancy on Tuesday in central Seoul.
This is the same day as the party begins registering presidential candidates.
Park's election campaign, under the slogan of "A country where my dreams come true," focuses on creating a fairer economy and improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
But three other Saenuri Party presidential hopefuls, representatives Chung Mong-joon and Lee Jae-oh and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo, are still trying to decide whether to run in the party's presidential primary.
They are demanding an open primary, saying they will not take part if the rules aren't changed.
However, the Saenuri Party has decided to keep its current primary rules in which half of the votes come from party members and the other half from the public.
The three are expected to announce their decision as early as Monday.
Lee Ji-yoon, Arirang News.

Reporter : jiyoonjlee@arirang.co.kr