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| Kim Kwan-jin |
Kim Kwan-jin, who concurrently serves as defense minister, called on the military to retain "strong fighting capability to make the enemy completely surrender in case of provocation."
He issued the instructions during a visit to a military unit in the heavily fortified zone bordering North Korea Saturday, according to a military official.
It marked his first visit to the demilitarized zone since he was designated as security advisor by President Park last week.
Kim is set to end his job as defense chief soon because his successor is scheduled to soon go through National Assembly hearings.
Kim is calling for the toughest measures yet to be taken against possible provocative acts from the North. His claim has been gaining momentum amid consensus building toward avenging the deaths of 50 South Koreans during separate attacks by the North in March and November of 2010.
Against this backdrop, Kim has been the prime target of harsh rhetoric from North Korea, even describing him as a "belligerent gangster."
North Korea's state television showed footage of military dogs tearing Kim's effigy to pieces during a military exercise.
The North has also warned that it will "wipe out" any aggressors should they enter their territory.
Relations between South and North Korea have remained chilly because of the North's repeated pledge to carry out another nuclear test.
The reclusive nation has also been refusing to come back to the six-party talks, despite continuing pressure from neighboring nations such as China, in particular, which has virtually remained its sole ally.
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