President Lee Myung-bak instructed the Cabinet on Tuesday to ensure South Korea is thoroughly prepared not only for armed provocations by North Korea, but also any attempts by Pyongyang to affect next month’s presidential election.

North Korea is one of the most divisive issues in South Korean society, with liberals calling for greater reconciliation efforts and conservatives calling for stands on principle, and Pyongyang often attempts to influence elections in the South by criticizing or praising candidates, mainly over their stances on the communist nation.

In the run-up to the Dec. 19 poll, Pyongyang has steeped up its denunciation of Seoul‘s conservative ruling party and presidential contender. On Saturday, the North denounced South Korea’s ruling Saenuri Party as a “disaster” that brews “all sources of misfortune” for Koreans.

“We cannot be inattentive about economic and security issues even for a single day until the end of my term,” Lee was quoted as saying during a Cabinet meeting. “In the case of security, we have to be thoroughly prepared not only for armed provocations by the North, but also for its attempts to intervene in our presidential election.”

Officials also briefed Lee at the meeting on a recent finding that “unproven parts” were used in nuclear reactors at power plants, as well as possible electricity shortages that may occur after two reactors have been shut down to have such parts replaced.

Lee told officials to provide the public with accurate information about the situation so the people do not worry too much, presidential spokesman Park Jeong-ha said.

Despite wide use of such parts in at least two nuclear reactors, officials have stressed there is no threat of a radiation leak as the untested parts are “ordinary” parts, such as fuses and power switches, which are unrelated to the reactor itself. (Yonhap News)