The North Korean state press on Monday urged South Koreans not to vote for candidates from the ruling Saenuri Party in the local elections on Wednesday. The official Rodong Sinmun called for "passing stern judgment on the ruthless Park Geun-hye clique."

"The Saenuri Party is desperately trying to avoid people's stern judgment in the local elections and overcome the political crisis it faces," the daily said. "What would happen if voters cast their ballots for Saenuri candidates in the local elections again?"

"The South Korean people still regret having been cajoled into voting for the Saenuri candidate in the last presidential election. If the party should win again in the local elections, the South Korean people would suffer a more terrible misfortune and disaster," the daily added.