President Lee Myung-bak has ordered sustained vigilance in order to prevent any further provocations by North Korea.

Lee said in a meeting Thursday at the presidential office that another such provocation could take place at any time. He ordered the troops on the coast and on the South’s five westernmost islands in the Yellow Sea to sharply bolster their alert level.

The president said that the troops stationed on the five islands in the Yellow Sea must be equipped with more advanced equipment in order to be prepared for provocations similar to North Korea’s Tuesday artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island.

Lee added that although military officials have been ordered to remain on high alert, everyday activities including those related to the economy should proceed as usual in order to demonstrate South Korea’s stability.