President Moon Jae-in says the government and military will further strengthen South Korea's security and readiness posture.
Moon made the pledge Friday in speech to mark Armed Forces Day at the Army Special Warfare Command in Icheon.
The message apparently targets North Korea in the wake of its killing of a South Korean fisheries official this week, although he made no direct mention of the North.
Moon said any acts that threaten the lives and safety of the South Korean people will be dealt with sternly.
The president also thanked the military for its quarantine efforts amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
This year's ceremony was held in advance as Armed Forces Day, which falls on October 1, coincides with the Chuseok holiday.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
