ROK urges deterrence against DPRK's nuke threats

Park Geun-hye shakes hands with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel before their meeting at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, Sept 30, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - President of Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye said on Tuesday that the country should build strong deterrence against possible nuclear threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Until DPRK put down its nuclear program and makes the right choice for the DPRK's people and peace on the Korean peninsula, we should build strong deterrence towards the North," Park said in a speech to mark the 65th Armed Forces Day.

This year's Armed Forces Day celebration was attended by US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Seoul's Defense Ministry mobilized around 11,000 soldiers at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul as well as the country's latest missiles and weapons.

Park said the government would preemptively secure anti-weapons capabilities such as the kill chain system and the Korea Air and Missile Defense, while maintaining solid alliance of US-ROK joint defense system.

It would make the DPRK leadership recognize that its missiles and nuclear weapons will be useless, Park stressed.

In a speech on Monday to observe the 60th anniversary of the US-ROK alliance, Park reiterated her call that the DPRK's nuclear weapons will never be allowed as affirmed in the May summit with US President Barack Obama. However, Park noted that doors for dialogue have been always open for the DPRK.