The country's minor contenders vying for the top job also reached out to voters nationwide when the four candidates sat down for their first televised debate late Thursday night. During the 100-minute question-and-answer session, the Hanaro National Union's Lee Han-dong stressed the need for a decentralized government system and an improved welfare plan for the elderly.

Kim Young-kyu of the Socialist Party of Korea called for the US army's withdrawal, the chaebol or big conglomerates' breakup, and the abolishment of inheritance rights for the rich. The nation's former intelligence chief, Chang Se-dong in the meantime, promised to boost national security and slash taxes for the low-income bracket.

Buddhist monk Kim Gil-su vowed to unify the nation through the Buddhist faith.

(Arirang TV)