DPK candidate Lee registers for June 3 presidential election

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung speaks at traditional market in Haman County of South Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. Yonhap

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung registered his candidacy with the state-run election watchdog Saturday for the June 3 presidential election, his officials said.

Former liberal DPK leader Lee is leading the polls as the strong front-runner.

He is known for his past hard-line remarks about Japan and support for close ties with China.

In recent months, however, he has expressed strong support for the U.S. alliance and the trilateral partnership with Japan, in an apparent effort to appeal to middle-of-the-road voters.

Along with Lee, five others submitted their registration, including Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party and Kwon Young-kook of the Democratic Labor Party, according to the National Election Commission.

Sunday is the deadline by which a party candidate must register his or her candidacy with the state election committee.

Attention is being drawn to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has emerged as a potential game changer for the June election.

Earlier in the day, Han joined the People Power Party (PPP) to potentially replace Kim Moon-soo as the party's candidate.

Meanwhile, the DPK announced a plan to establish a task force to respond to growing terror threats against Lee.

The party also decided to create a separate unit within Lee's campaign team dedicated to enhancing security, to be led by former police officers who are now lawmakers, saying that it is "flooded with concerns about Lee's safety."