Seoul announced it would step up security measures against any “strategic provocation” from Pyongyang ahead of presidential election in December, Korea JoongAng Daily reports.

President Lee Myung-bak demanded Pyongyang stop any “provocations” days after North Korean fishing boats crossed the tense Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea, prompting the South Korean navy to fire warning shots. Mr. Lee claims it was an “obvious attempt” by the North to intervene in South Korea’s election season and advised ministers to “keep a strong national defense” during an emergency meeting. South Korean military officials said there was a possibility that North Korean soldiers were aboard the boats and crossed the border with a “deliberate purpose”.

The Blue House released a statement Wednesday, saying, “The government urges Pyongyang to immediately suspend any attempts to interfere with our presidential election”. The statement added that South Korea’s military remains “vigilant” and would “strongly retaliate against any provocations”. North Korean media berated the South’s current administration and frequently commented on politicians.