PYONGYANG, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday said the election failure of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a consequence of the Japanese government's hostile policy toward Pyongyang.

    "The miserable defeat of the Abe group in the election is a result of its hostile policy toward the DPRK," said the leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

    It's the first official response from the DPRK government to Japan's parliamentary election last Sunday.

    The newspaper accused Abe's government of taking a series of hostile measures against Pyongyang, including suppressing the largest pro-DPRK organization in Japan (the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan) and imposing harsh economic sanctions since Abe took office last October.

    Japan's ruling bloc suffered a major defeat in last Sunday's parliamentary election, while the opposition succeeded in grabbing a majority in the House of Councilors.

    Despite the failure, Abe said he would stay in power and push forward reforms.