Moon Jae-in, a leading presidential hopeful from the main opposition party, said Wednesday those who blindly follow North Korea should stay away from the political circle, seeking to distance himself from the controversial pro-Pyongyang lawmakers.

Moon, a lawmaker of the Democratic United Party and a close aide to late former President Roh Moo-hyun, made the remark as he has been gearing up his campaign by speaking out on major social issues after announcing his election bid last week.

"If there are pro-North Korea forces, they should be excluded from the political circle. But (we) shouldn't recklessly single (them) out like in a witch hunt," Moon said during a panel discussion with senior journalists in Seoul.

Dealing with North Korea has become a sensitive issue in South Korea, which still remains technically at war with the North, especially after Pyongyang carried out two deadly attacks on the South in 2010.

The ruling Saenuri Party and conservatives have been pushing to oust two alleged pro-North lawmakers of the minor Unified Progressive Party for their involvement in an alleged primary rigging for the April general elections.

The former human rights lawyer said the communist regime's third-generation hereditary succession does not go well with the principle of democracy, describing it as a "pre-modern" decision.

Although the 59-year-old said the North's nuclear program should not be accepted "in any case," he remained open to talks with the communist neighbor in an effort to improve inter-Korean relations, which have turned sour during the conservative administration of Lee Myung-bak.

"We can develop (inter-Korean relations) as a way to seek co-prosperity, by holding annual summits regularly," Moon said, noting he will push to hold the talks with the North during his first year in office.

President Lee's five-year term ends next February, and he is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term. (Yonhap)