PPP's Kim talks up GTX success as PPP apologizes for fmr. 1st Lady Kim Keon Hee

Up next we turn to the conservative camp whose contender Kim Moon-soo continues his campaign in the Greater Seoul region.

For details I have Kim Do-yeon joining me live.

Do-yeon welcome back.

And where are you joining us from today?

Sun-hee, I'm in Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi-do Province around 50 kilometers north of central Seoul.

Kim is set to appear on the stage behind me momentarily, he's been making his way here by hitting Gyeonggi-do Province cities northwest of Seoul and moving clockwise.

He's been reminding Gyeonggi-do residents that it was during his two terms as governor that the GTX express rail system first took shape — and now, he's vowing to expand it even further.

"I promise you — I'll make sure anyone can travel anywhere within an hour. I'll deliver a transportation revolution."

Now, as I said, the area he's covering also borders North Korea, with a large portion of the land left undeveloped due to restrictions related to security and the environment.

He pledged to lift these to host different institutions and companies to create more jobs in the area.

Also Do-yeon I understand Kim remains committed to coaxing his conservative rival into a coalition?

That's right, Sun-hee.

Kim repeated his message earlier in the day.

His point continues to be that the merger is his means to turn this election around and he's apparently hopeful.

Take a listen.

"As for a dramatic turnaround, there's candidate Lee Jun-seok, who once served as our party leader and is now running independently. I believe that, in the end, he and I will merge our campaigns — and that he could play a key role in leading us to victory in this presidential race. I'm hopeful things will work out."

But Lee Jun-seok is still publicly rejecting the idea.

Still, the outreach continues — PPP lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo visited Lee on the campaign trail in an apparent attempt to open dialogue.

Momentum is building, though.

Former justice minister and PPP primary runner-up Han Dong-hoon began campaigning for Kim yesterday — though they haven't appeared together yet.

Han had made clear that he wouldn't hit the trail unless the party distanced itself from impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol.

Now that Yoon has left the party, Han appears to be on board.

And to add to the distancing just about an hour ago, PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae publicly apologized for controversies surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

After his debate proposal for first lady prospects was rejected, he urged the Democratic Party to suggest their own format — saying vetting should still happen.

That's the latest from Dongducheon. Back to you, Sun-hee.

All right Do-yeon thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.