The government has decided to revise its rules on physical engagements with North Korea in order to ensure swift retaliations against future provocations from the communist country.
The government made the decision in a meeting of defense and economic officials that was presided over by President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday.
Presidential secretary for public relations Hong Sang-pyo said the revision follows criticism of the current rules that prevent South Korea from carrying out more active physical responses in the face of North Korean provocations.
The revision will also enable South Korea to respond in different ways according to whether future North Korean provocations target South Korean civilians or troops.
The government will strengthen its military presence on the five South Korean islands in the Yellow Sea near the inter-Korean maritime border and will maintain an around-the-clock system to monitor moves by the North.
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