DP's Lee scales back campaign ahead of final debate; PPP's Kim meets with fmr. Pres. Lee

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min.

We're coming to you live an hour earlier than usual, before the live presidential debate.

Exactly seven days from now, voters in the country will be heading to polling stations to elect the next leader.

With the big day coming up, the final debate is scheduled for this evening.

Major candidates spent the day keeping a low profile ahead of the debate, though efforts did continue to muster support as much as they can.

Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

With one week to go until the election, presidential hopefuls scaled back their campaigns ahead of their final televised debate on Tuesday evening.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung did not hold any rallies on Tuesday, choosing instead to focus on preparing for the debate.

Meanwhile, the DP encouraged people to participate in early voting, which begins on Thursday.

Highlighting the record-high turnout in overseas voting, the party said this reflects public sentiment against what it calls insurrection forces.

It added that it plans to maintain this momentum through early voting.

The party also continued its criticism of People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo.

"Every time he speaks, it's all false propaganda and misleading agitation. He's a dangerous person. To him, honesty is just a mask, and morality is nothing more than a prop."

The PPP's Kim Moon-soo has been putting in efforts to rally as much support as possible from across the political spectrum, including undecided voters, ahead of early voting.

Kim met with former President Lee Myung-bak over lunch on Tuesday, in what was seen as an effort to consolidate support among conservative voters.

A PPP spokesperson told reporters that Lee encouraged Kim, and advised him to make a sincere effort to pursue a merger with the Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok.

This comes a day after Kim met with former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon.

Following the meeting, Lee a former chief of the DP voiced his support for Kim on Tuesday, saying that he would join efforts to prevent what he called a "monster dictatorship" if Lee Jae-myung were to win the election.

With two days to go until early voting, the PPP expressed confidence in a major comeback.

"Kim Moon-soo's character and abilities stand in sharp contrast to Lee Jae-myung's, leaving a strong impression on voters. A major turnaround is coming."

Meanwhile, Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok reaffirmed his determination to stay in the presidential race, rejecting a merger with the PPP.

During a press conference on Tuesday, he said he would not join forces with those responsible for the declaration of martial law, and that he would fight to the end and win.

The third debate between the candidates will take place from 8 PM this evening and last for two hours.

They will discuss political polarization, political reform, and possible constitutional amendments.

Other topics will include foreign affairs and national security.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.