Pyongyang denied it was trying to influence the ballot in South Korean elections with recent provocations that Seoul says could threaten the stability in the Korean peninsula ahead of the polls in December.

“We don’t care who will become South Korea’s next president,” the ruling Workers’ Party’s mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun said, adding that Seoul’s concerns are merely a “fabricated allegation”.

“We are paying attention to which people are trying to improve inter-Korean relations, not who will be elected in the South’s presidential election,” the commentary said. “It is natural for the inter-Korean relationship. Calling this ‘an intervention in politics or in an election’ is a total cavil by paranoiacs.”

North Korea has criticized the South Korean government and lashed out at politicians including President Lee Myung-bak and presidential candidate Park Geun-hye. Conservative candidates also came under criticism from the North, saying that the “conservative-led administration should be ended.”

Pyongyang favors liberals who may revive engagement with the North, Korea JoongAng Daily.

South Korea warned that the North may conduct a missile test after a satellite image showed increased activity at the launch site.