The government is closing watching North Korea to be prepared against possible provocations by the North following the execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek.

The Defense Ministry set up a crisis management task force with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and boosted surveillance activities on the North shortly after the news of Jang's execution came out.

Defense Ministry spokesman, Kim Min-seok, said Seoul is keeping a close eye on the possibility of Pyongyang engaging in provocations against the South or committing terrorist acts via its supporting forces within the South in a bid to secure internal control and stability.
 
The Unification Ministry also says it's keeping close watch on the series of developments in the North based on what was discussed at a security policy coordination meeting that was held at the presidential office on Friday.

The presidential national security office is operating in emergency mode, as chief presidential national security adviser Kim Jang-soo is receiving reports from related military and intelligence agencies in real time.