North Korea likely to interfere in parliamentary polls, warns South Korean president

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol Wednesday alleged that North Korea was likely to interfere in the upcoming parliamentary polls scheduled in April.

“For the past 70 years, the North Korean regime has worked tirelessly to bring down the Republic of Korea's liberal democratic system, and in years with important political events, it has constantly carried out social disturbances, psychological warfare and provocations," said Yoon, referring to South Korea by its official name.

He was addressing annual central integrated defense council meeting at the former presidential compound Cheong Wa Dae, the Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

“This year we expect to see many provocations aimed at interfering in our elections, such as border area provocations, drone infiltrations, disinformation, cyberattacks and rear disturbances," Yoon said, calling Kim Jong-un-led North Korean regime “an irrational group.”

Yoon’s comments came as tensions on Korean Peninsula have seen persistent escalation amid tit-for-tat military activities by the divided Koreas, where the US and Japan have joined South Korea in joint exercises, while Pyongyang has emboldened its weaponry arsenal with launch of spy satellite, cruise missiles, and underwater tests.

“Such actions themselves are anti-national and anti-unification, and provocations and threats that run counter to history," Yoon said, referring to statements where Pyongyang intends to redefine relations with Seoul.

South Korea is set to hold parliamentary elections in April. Currently, the opposition Democratic Party is dominating the parliament, locally known as National Assembly.