By Jun Ji-hye
President Park Geun-hye ordered the military, Tuesday, to maintain a high-level of combat readiness so that it can retaliate against North Korea the moment it starts the launch sequence for a nuclear missile.
During a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, she also said the militaries of South Korea and the United States need to maintain closer cooperation.
"The military should be determined to bring about an end to the North Korean regime once it fires a nuclear missile," she said. "We need to take more effective actions against its nuclear provocations."
The comment comes after the reclusive state carried out its fifth nuclear test, Friday, claiming that it successfully detonated a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can be placed on a ballistic missile.
To better deter growing threats from the North's nuclear and missile programs, the President called for a consensus on the need to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.
"Objections to THAAD will only result in exposing the people's safety to the danger of the North's provocation," she said. "It is questionable how national security can be protected if we go back to square one with the deployment plan at this time when the North continues to push ahead with nuclear and missile provocations."
In July, Seoul and Washington announced a decision to deploy the U.S. advanced missile defense system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, by the end of next year, but the plan has been facing protests from local residents over concerns about the safety of the radar. Opposition lawmakers have also expressed their disagreement with the deployment, citing that it could worsen the nation's relations with China and that the system's capability of defending the nation is doubtful.
Park's comment was apparently directed at Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the chairwoman of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), and Rep. Park Jie-won, the interim leader of the People's Party, who expressed their opposition to THAAD during a meeting with the President the previous day.
"The North is advancing its nuclear and missile capability. Division among South Koreans will only make any of our defense systems meaningless," she said.
The President also called on the military to come up with unilateral measures to respond to the North's threats.
Park also vowed to better equip key facilities, including nuclear reactors, to withstand earthquakes as a record temblor jolted the nation the previous day.
Park said the government will dispatch officials to the quake-hit region to find out details of the damage and minimize inconveniences to residents.
On Monday, a record magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the southern city of Gyeongju, which was strong enough to be felt throughout the nation.
"I believe many people were surprised by the earthquake," Park said, adding the incident signaled a warning that South Korea is not safe from natural disasters.
No serious injuries or damage were reported following the quake, although people in the region felt numerous aftershocks throughout the night.
President Park Geun-hye ordered the military, Tuesday, to maintain a high-level of combat readiness so that it can retaliate against North Korea the moment it starts the launch sequence for a nuclear missile.
During a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, she also said the militaries of South Korea and the United States need to maintain closer cooperation.
"The military should be determined to bring about an end to the North Korean regime once it fires a nuclear missile," she said. "We need to take more effective actions against its nuclear provocations."
The comment comes after the reclusive state carried out its fifth nuclear test, Friday, claiming that it successfully detonated a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can be placed on a ballistic missile.
To better deter growing threats from the North's nuclear and missile programs, the President called for a consensus on the need to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.
"Objections to THAAD will only result in exposing the people's safety to the danger of the North's provocation," she said. "It is questionable how national security can be protected if we go back to square one with the deployment plan at this time when the North continues to push ahead with nuclear and missile provocations."
In July, Seoul and Washington announced a decision to deploy the U.S. advanced missile defense system in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, by the end of next year, but the plan has been facing protests from local residents over concerns about the safety of the radar. Opposition lawmakers have also expressed their disagreement with the deployment, citing that it could worsen the nation's relations with China and that the system's capability of defending the nation is doubtful.
Park's comment was apparently directed at Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the chairwoman of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), and Rep. Park Jie-won, the interim leader of the People's Party, who expressed their opposition to THAAD during a meeting with the President the previous day.
"The North is advancing its nuclear and missile capability. Division among South Koreans will only make any of our defense systems meaningless," she said.
The President also called on the military to come up with unilateral measures to respond to the North's threats.
Park also vowed to better equip key facilities, including nuclear reactors, to withstand earthquakes as a record temblor jolted the nation the previous day.
Park said the government will dispatch officials to the quake-hit region to find out details of the damage and minimize inconveniences to residents.
On Monday, a record magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the southern city of Gyeongju, which was strong enough to be felt throughout the nation.
"I believe many people were surprised by the earthquake," Park said, adding the incident signaled a warning that South Korea is not safe from natural disasters.
No serious injuries or damage were reported following the quake, although people in the region felt numerous aftershocks throughout the night.
