Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee says North Korean provocation against South Korean hard-line policy is still plausible, which he says could trigger an inter-Korean confrontation.

In a defense policy presentation before retired generals on Monday, the minister said if provoked by the North, the South Korean military would take immediate action to secure the situation.

He stressed that Seoul will not give the North an excuse to provoke the South, but if the North shows signs of a provocation, the military will prevent it with a preemptive mobilization of forces.

The policy presentation for some 800 retired generals continues through Wednesday.

Some 250 attended Monday's presentation including General Baek Seon-yeob and Chairman Lee Jong-goo of the Korea Retired Generals and Admirals Association.