This combined photo taken on Monday, shows the presidential candidates of South Korea's major political parties -- (from left to right) Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party -- making stump speeches in Hwaseong, south of Seoul; the southeastern city of Daegu; and Seoul, respectively. (Yonhap)
This combined photo taken on Monday, shows the presidential candidates of South Korea's major political parties -- (from left to right) Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party -- making stump speeches in Hwaseong, south of Seoul; the southeastern city of Daegu; and Seoul, respectively. (Yonhap)

Three presidential candidates were set to begin their second day of official campaigns Tuesday in the conservative strongholds in the nation's southeastern region, with the election just 21 days away.

The June 3 presidential election, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December, is seen as a three-way race among Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party.

In various opinion polls, Lee of the DP is the front-runner with some 50 percent support.

Lee of the DP will seek to win the support of centrist voters as he plans to visit the cities of Gumi and Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province, as well as the southeastern cities of Daegu and Busan.

The trip to the traditionally challenging Yeongnam region in the country's southeast just three days after visiting the area is widely seen as an appeal to both regional and centrist voters.

Kim of the PPP is expected to seek conservative support as he plans to visit Daegu, Ulsan and Busan.

Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party poses for photos with party members in Daegu on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party poses for photos with party members in Daegu on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

Starting off his campaign stop by paying tribute at the National Sinam Memorial Park in Daegu, Kim will hold a ceremony to launch the party's regional campaign committee at the PPP's office in Daegu before heading to Ulsan to visit local outlets and traditional markets.

He will then visit the Busan International Finance Center and later attend an event by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the PPP's Busan office. His campaign will conclude with a visit to Jagalchi Market in Busan.

Kim's move is seen as an effort to solidify conservative support in the Yeongnam region while highlighting his focus on boosting the local economy, which is his primary campaign pledge.

Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party will start the day with a campaign rally in the streets of Daegu before having a meal with students at a cafeteria at Kyungpook National University.

He will then hold a policy meeting on health care at the Daegu Medical Association Hall and meet with merchants at Chilseong Market. (Yonhap)