The ruling Saenuri Party and South Korean intelligence have reported the threat of a North Korean terror attack is increasing, with some sources even saying that South Korea’s four highest governmental officials may be targets for assassination.

However, observers and an opposition lawmaker said that the ruling party’s claim is aimed at increasing anxiety among voters to create a favorable political landscape before the April election.

“The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is collecting relevant intelligence as North Korea might carry out the abduction, poisoning or terror attack on national facilities, and cyber attacks against South Korean government officials or defectors,”