PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS FROM SOUTH KOREAN RULING PARTY CELEBRATE IN CHEJU ISLAND, 2002-03-09 (photo)

Seven presidential hopefuls and other officials from the ruling Millennium Democratic Party raise their hands during the first primary election to choose a successor to President Kim Dae-jung as the party's standard-bearer at a gathering on the southern island of Cheju March 9, 2002. The seven presidential hopefuls were taking part in the U.S.-style primary to be held in all nine South Korean provinces, culminating in a convention in Seoul on April 20, ahead of December national elections. Head of the election polling committee Kim Young-bae (4th L) and MDP chairman Han Gwang-ok (C) join, from left, candidates Kim Joong-kwon, Noh Moo-hyun, Chung Dong-young, Kim Geun-tae, Rhee In-je, Hahn Hwa-kap and You Jong-keun. Hahn Hwa-kap scored the first at the first primary elections. REUTERS/Kwon Woo-sung LJW/JD