A private institute claims North Korea is attempting to influence the outcome of South Korea’s presidential election through diverse channels.

Yoo Dong-ryul, head of the Seoul-based Korea Institute of Liberal Democracy, said on Monday in a news release that Pyongyang is actively working to intervene in the election through some 160 pro-North Korea Web sites, including Uriminzokkiri, a state-run propaganda Web site.

Yoo said the sites are posting comments critical of three specific candidates.