Islam Times - South Korean presidential candidates hold final TV debate ‎

Islam Times - The third and final debate of South Korea’s presidential election focused on policies for education reform, science and technology, public safety, and social welfare, which was the dominant issue with the country’s low birth rate, highlighting gender inequality.

Loyal supporters of the two major candidates avidly watched the debate despite having already decided who they will vote for.

With minor opposition nominee Lee Jung-hee withdrawing her candidacy earlier in the day, it was the first one-on-one televised debate between ruling New Frontier Party’s Park Geun-hye and opposition Democratic United Party’s Moon Jae-in. The last polls ahead of the election showed a close margin between the two nominees.

Undecided voters, according to pollsters, still make up almost 10% of the voting pool and some swing voters used the debates as a determining factor.

Some experts also believe that Moon Jae-in controlled the majority of the debate.

The analysts added however, that the viewership of the third debate was much lower than the previous two, and watched largely by those who already support one nominee.

With just days before South Korea’s presidential election, the main opposition candidate Moon Jae-in is enjoying a surge in support, narrowing the gap between him and ruling party candidate Park Geun-hye. Many experts are saying the uncertainty in this year’s election is unprecedented, and may be the closest election in South Korea’s history.