"I would like Park Ji-Sung to become a symbol of challenge for all Koreans, " 30-year-old Kim Young Woo, who is a great fan of Park, said.

CNN: Park Ji-Sung - A national icon

PRI's efforts to woo young voters, who shunned it in the presidential election, are equally haphazard.

ECONOMIST: Mexico's former ruling party reverses its losing streak

There's another crowd that the presidential candidates are beginning to woo: young Hollywood, still up for grabs.

NPR: Young Hollywood Wooed by Presidential Hopefuls

The aim: to woo penny-pinchers, especially young families, and boost the percentage of new customers.

FORBES: Free Fall

Add to the equation the rift between black and white and one cannot help feeling that politicians are avoiding young people, because they do not know how to woo them.

BBC: Young turn their back on politics

He was convicted in 1996 of bribing former South Korean president Roh Tae-woo but pardoned a year later by then-president Kim Young-sam.

WSJ: South Korea Plans to Pardon Former Samsung Chairman

During Mr Kim Young Sam's presidency, two former presidents, Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae Woo, were jailed for treason, insurrection and taking bribes.

ECONOMIST: South Korea