Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong on Thursday expressed regret over a North Korean editorial carrying a New Year's message that urged South Koreans to prevent the conservatives from winning this December's presidential elections.

Lee said that the editorial, which mentioned the main opposition Grand National Party by name, deviated from the principles of inter-Korean relations and would not help the development of bilateral relations.

The editorial appeared in three of the communist country's official newspapers for the Workers' Party, the youth and the military.

The unification minister declared that it was inappropriate for the North to mention a particular political party and attempt to influence the South’s domestic affairs.

It is believed that Lee expressed such strong regret because the North’s comments could violate the principle of non-intervention in domestic issues and negatively affect inter-Korean relations.