Park `1st female pres.`; Moon `1st Gwanghwamun pres.`

Editor`s note: The following is comments made by Park Geun-hye, the presidential candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party, and Moon Jae-in, the standard-bearer of the main opposition Democratic United Party, made ahead of Wednesday`s election.

Park Geun-hye:

Which road would you like to take? A road that leads to a better life for everybody and unity among the people, or one to a repeat of past failures? I saw the pain and sorrow that Koreans had to endure in the wake of the 2007 financial crisis, and this experience led me to enter politics. Over the past 15 years, countless crises and difficulties have arisen in my path as a politician. Each time, however, you helped me to weather all of the difficulties with your trust and belief in me.

As president, you people will be my primary concern and your livelihood will be my first priority. I will help the crushed middle class stand on their feet again and usher in an era where 70 percent of the people can say they are middle class. I will revive the miraculous economic growth of the 70s. My presidency will prove to be devoted to the people because I will give 100 percent of myself to you. As president, I will be generous to others but strict with myself. I will ensure that the government and people around me work transparently and abide by high standards. I will ensure balanced development across Korea and achieve unity among the people by posting figures from different parties to a variety of government positions. Please choose a change in era that transcends the limits of a change in government.

This election is the last step I will take in my political career. I urge you to give me a chance to give you back all the support you have shown me until now. I have no family to take care of or children to pass down my possessions. You are my family, and your happiness is the only goal in my political life. Please choose change and reform and elect the first female president of Korea.

Moon Jae-in:

Please vote to usher in a new era!

Koreans have greatly suffered from inconvenience, anxiety, dissatisfaction, distrust and miscommunication. If you do not change, those in charge will not reflect on their faults. If you do not discipline, wrongdoers will repeat their errors. It is time for you to discipline them. Tomorrow is the day. The Lee Myung-bak government and presidential candidate Park Geun-hye have led Korean politics together over the past five years. The regime has been dubbed “president for the presidential office,” or “Yeouido president.” Without giving an apology, however, they are trying to take turns for presidency. The overall impasse that we face cannot be solved by replacing one player. We need to replace the whole team. The Saenuri Party has proven itself incapable of and underqualified for representing Korea.

As president, I, Moon Jae-in, will wipe the tears from your eyes. Opportunities will be given to everyone. All the people will play fair and the results will be righteous. I will usher in the era of a “Gwanghwamun president,” replacing “president for the presidential office.” The unified opposition candidate was achieved beautifully with former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo. I will go for new politics hand-in-hand with all those who aspire for new politics. I will achieve a united cabinet.

Votes win political power. So please vote. Please, love your country as much as you love yourself. Giving up your vote means that you forgive the past five years. Please activate your conscience and be an alert citizen.