S Korea campaign starts

Seoul - South Korea's three-week-long presidential election campaign begins officially today amid an economic storm and with the veteran opposition front-runner, Mr Kim Dae-Jung, pinning his hopes on a divided conservative vote. Mr Kim (73), is making his fourth attempt for the presidency. His closest rivals are the candidate of the ruling Grand National Party, Mr Lee Hoi-Chang. and Mr Rhee In-Je. Mr Rhee is favoured by President Kim Young-Sam, who is blamed by many South Koreans for the collapse of the financial system and a humiliating IMF bail-out.