By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
The Grand National Party (GNP) Friday kicked off an illegal election campaign report center to block negative campaigns of the presidential contenders, said Park Gwan-yong, chief of the party's ad hoc committee handling primary affairs.
The center will receive reports from citizens online and offline about illegal campaign activities conducted by presidential hopefuls and their camps.
``Presidential hopefuls' campaign activities will be thoroughly monitored by the internal body. Citizens are encouraged to report to the center if they find any illegal or negative campaign activities conducted by GNP hopefuls,'' said Park.
The nomination race has entered a new phase as the party's six-hour hearing screening of the two presidential contenders ended Thursday.
During the nomination race, contenders are expected to take part in 12 outdoor debates, which will take place in 12 different cities across the nation from July 24.
Five GNP contenders will deliver speeches at the events to appeal to the hearts and minds of local voters.
The official campaign period for the party's primaries will start Saturday and end Aug. 19, the date the party's primaries are to take place.
Leading presidential contenders mapped out different strategies for the nomination race.
Showing confidence, Lee Myung-bak's camp said that the game is over.
Close aides of the former Seoul mayor said despite continued negative attacks from rival Park's camp, the gap in approval ratings between the two contenders has not dropped below 10 percent.
This means that Lee has weathered the storm, they said.
During the remaining campaign period, Lee's camp plans to focus on economy-first leadership, while attacking Park for her aides' involvement in the leak of the canal project paper and classified documents about Lee.
One staff member from Park's camp was arrested Monday on charges stemming from the illegal property trading scandal that involved the former Seoul mayor.
Lee's aides said Park would not be freed from the accusation.
Meanwhile, the former Party chairwoman's camp said Lee's screening is not over.
Her camp plans to highlight Park's previous experience as acting first lady, party leader and lawmaker to publicize her leadership.
Park's aides said the party's hearing has failed to clear several suspicions and allegations over Lee and therefore they plan to keep asking Lee to clarify his position.
They said Park would make policy tours across the country.