North Korea is trying to interfere with South Korea's presidential election in December as the communist country maintains a hostile posture toward its southern rival, Seoul's defense minister said Friday.
Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin made the remarks at a meeting with ruling Saenuri Party officials, citing "rare" moves by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"(Kim Jong-un) is trying to exercise control over the regime by taking such steps as visiting a military unit for the first time in 73 days," the minister said, referring to an inspection trip earlier this month that was widely interpreted as a morale booster for North Korean soldiers ahead of South Korea's annual military drills with the United States.
Seoul and Washington have made clear that the military exercise, scheduled for Aug. 20 through Aug. 31, is defensive in nature, but the North has consistently claimed it is part of a broader plan to invade the communist country.
The minister did not elaborate on how North Korea would try to affect South Korea's presidential election.
Also at the meeting, South Korean Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik said he is still skeptical about what some analysts claim as a sign that Pyongyang has moved forward on reforms.
Kim Jong-un's recent dismissal of army chief Ri Yong-ho and his use of American cultural icons such as Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters fueled speculation the 28-year-old could be moving toward reform.
"It's still early to conclude that (actual) changes are taking place based on a few signs," Yu said. "However, there's no reason to ignore those signs either." (Yonhap)