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SEOUL - South Korean presidential frontrunner Lee Myung Bak and other candidates registered with election authorities on Sunday - among a record number to run for the top job, officials said.
The National Election Commission said nine hopefuls, including main opposition candidate Mr Lee and his pro-government arch-rival Chung Dong Young, signed up at the start of registration.
The office said it expects more candidates, including conservative independent Lee Hoi Chang, to enroll before registration closes on Monday.
'It marks the biggest number in the nation's history of presidential elections,' a National Election Commission spokesman said, adding the previous record was eight in the 1987 and 1992 presidential elections.
Campaigning starts on Tuesday for the Dec 9 vote.
The winner of the election will replace President Roh Moo Hyun, whose five-year single term expires in February next year.
A JoongAng Ilbo newspaper poll published on Friday had Lee Myung Bak on 40.3 per cent, Lee Hoi-Chang on 19.2 per cent and Chung on 12.7 per cent.
Lee Myung Bak, a former construction executive of the conservative Grand National Party (GNP), is tipped to win the election on a public swing to the right after a decade of liberal rule in South Korea.
But the former Seoul mayor faces allegations that he was involved in a stock manipulation and embezzlement scam by his former business partner. Mr Lee denies any involvement.
Lee Hoi Chang, a former prime minister critical of North Korea, makes a third presidential bid after bolting from the GNP, citing a lack of confidence in the scandal-mired GNP candidate.
Mr Chung, of the pro-government United New Democratic Party, a former TV anchorman and unification minister, vows to support peaceful engagement with North Korea and focus on public welfare. -- AFP
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