More than 100 running for SKorea presidency

SEOUL (AFP) - More than 100 people ranging from farmers to priests have so far registered as candidates for South Korea's December presidential election, the National Election Commission said.

A total of 106 people have registered on a preliminary list of contenders since the procedure started in April, a commission spokesman told Yonhap news agency in a report late Wednesday.

"Probably they are promoting their faces. Not many of them will still be there at the real election date," said spokesman Kim Young-Hun.
Many are from established political parties but there are many more hopefuls who declared themselves as independents. They include 12 jobless people, seven white-collar workers, six religious practitioners and three farmers.

Kim said a new law allows anyone aged 40 or older to register as "preliminary candidates" and conduct limited campaigning. Previously candidates were barred from any campaigning until three weeks before the December 19 vote.

Most of the would-be presidents are expected to drop out when they have to deposit 500 million won (530,000 dollars), which they will forfeit unless they get more than 15 percent of the vote.

Opinion polls show former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-Bak, who was chosen Monday as candidate of the opposition Grand National Party, way ahead of potential rivals.