South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held an emergency security meeting on Thursday that warned North Korea of “serious consequences” if it went through with an expected nuclear test.
The meeting at the presidential Blue House included the defence minister, National Intelligence Service chief and the national security adviser.
A statement issued afterwards said Lee had insisted on a strengthened defence posture, given Pyongyang’s apparent desire to take advantage of the ongoing leadership transition in the South.
Lee will be formally replaced as president by the newly elected Park Geun-hye on February 25.
“The government urges North Korea to immediately stop all provocative statements and actions and abide by international obligations including UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement said.
“If the North miscalculates and commits a provocative act again, it would face various serious consequences”, it added.
North Korea has threatened to carry out its third nuclear test in response to UN sanctions imposed on Pyongyang for its long-range rocket launch in December.