The United Democratic Party (UDP) has criticized the new administration, saying its political moves should not be allowed to undermine inter-Korean economic cooperation.

UDP spokesman Yoo Jong-pil made the statement Thursday after the North expelled South Korean officials from the inter-Korean Gaesong Industrial Complex.

Declaring that a suspension of the ten-year-long project would benefit neither Seoul nor Pyongyang, he expressed regret over what he described as the North’s "emotional reaction" to Seoul.

The spokesman said the inter-Korean business project, which combined South Korean capital with North Korean labor, should not take a step backwards.

He said his party will make every effort to see that the project is resumed.