South Korea said Wednesday that North Korea's latest provocations and bellicose rhetoric appear to aim to elicit stronger internal solidarity ahead of the North's key party event slated for May.

North Korea fired off several short-range and ballistic missiles this month in an apparent show of defiance against tougher U.N. sanctions over the North's January nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. It has also threatened to make a pre-emptive strike against Seoul and Washington.

The Ministry of Unification said that the North's military provocation and belligerent rhetoric seems to target its internal audience to draw allegiance ahead of the Workers' Party of Korea's party congress.

"The North's move seems to draw stronger solidarity from its people before the party event," Jeong Joon-hee, a ministry spokesman, told a regular press briefing. "But all of the North's criticism against outside and bellicose rhetoric are provocations."

The WPK plans to hold its first party congress in 36 years in May, where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will likely unveil new lines of policies. Seoul's spy agency said that the event is expected to be held on May 7.

A source familiar with North Korean affairs said the country started the process at counties and cities to select candidates for delegates for the event.

Jeong declined to comment on foreign reports that those over 60 were excluded from being selected for the congress.

"But it is true that the North's preparation over the party conference seems to be underway," he said. (Yonhap)