South Korea's main presidential candidates are making the final push in their campaigns ahead of a poll in two day's time.

Although the two frontrunners are offering very different visions for their country's future, critics said the race was still too close to call.

Key issues include:

Policy on North Korea Approach to US forces Corruption and reform

Korea's youth vote

Key issues include the candidates' approach to North Korea, amid increasing tension over the Stalinist state's alleged nuclear programme.

Roh Moo-hyun of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, and Lee Hoi-chang, candidate for the Grand National Party, are now battling it out for crucial undecided votes.

Opinion polls are banned during the campaign, but Mr Lee's campaign manager said the party had managed to narrow Mr Roh's slight lead.

"With the help of widening support from those who wish for stability, we are now trailing by a margin of less than 300,000 votes," Choi Byong-ryul told AFP news agency.

Key issues

North Korea's nuclear ambitions have dominated the campaign, with the two main candidates differing sharply over how to handle the secretive state.

Roh Moo-hyun: The poll is 'a choice between war and peace'

Mr Roh is towing the line of out-going President Kim Dae-jung, whose "sunshine policy" advocates engagement with the North.

Mr Lee's approach is closer to that of the US, arguing that dialogue should be frozen until Pyongyang dismantles its suspected nuclear programme.

Analysts said the recent wave of anti-American sentiment in South Korea could also prove to be a factor in the polls.

Although both candidates agree that the accord governing the 37,000 US forces in South Korea should be revised, Mr Lee has criticised the current administration for neglecting its US ties.

The two candidates have gone head to head in three live television debates.

Both have attempted to appeal to South Korea's younger voters. Twenty- and 30-somethings make up nearly half of the country's electorates.

As a result the rivals have tried to adopt youthful images. A recent campaign advert for Mr Roh shows him singing and playing a guitar, while Mr Lee has dyed his hair a lighter colour and used posters depicting him in hip-hop clothing.