S. Korea raps N. Korea over criticism of President Park

South Korea hit back at North Korea on Monday for its renewed verbal attacks on President Park Geun-hye, saying Pyongyang should have good manners despite strained bilateral ties.
  

Last week, the communist neighbor's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, claimed Park's mouth is an obstacle to inter-Korean relations and the very source of misery.
  

It was condemning the president's call for the North to choose a path of reform and opening to the outside world.
  

"Our government expresses serious regret over North Korea's criticism of South Korea's president by her name," unification ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said at a press briefing.
  

He urged Pyongyang to immediately stop "rude rhetoric and acts that lack even the minimum level of politeness toward the South's head of state." (Yonhap)