South Korea's political parties expressed regret Wednesday over North Korea's threat to shut down passages across the inter-Korean border.

The ruling Grand National Party expressed concern over the North's move, which it said runs counter to peace on the Korean Peninsula. The GNP also said Pyongyang's alleged attempt to "tame" Seoul would not help improve bilateral relations.

The main opposition Democratic Party expressed similar concerns, but blamed the situation on Seoul's hard-line stance against the North.

The conservative opposition Liberty Forward Party said North Korea should know that any deterioration in inter-Korean relations would not help matters for the North, urging the South Korean government to cope with Pyongyang's hostility with firm resolve.