The South Korean president held a nationally-televised speech and news conference on Wednesday, addressing the security threats posed by the fourth North Korean nuclear test.

Park said the recurring nuclear tests by the North necessitate a different and more stringent response from the international community.

She said the recent nuclear test, which the North claimed was the regime’s first hydrogen bomb test, can pose a significant challenge to the security of Northeast Asia.

She then called for public support for the South Korean military's anti-North Korea loudspeaker broadcasts across the demilitarized zone. Park said that defector testimonies point to the effectiveness of the psychological warfare program.

Noting that the greatest threat to a totalitarian regime is the power of the truth, Park said the government will continue its efforts to inform North Koreans about the truth while thoroughly guarding the safety of citizens.

To make North Korea pay for its fourth nuclear test, President Park said that her administration is closely collaborating with the U.S. and other partners to forge the most effective sanctions at the UN, bilateral and multilateral levels.
Park in particular urged China to take an active role to stop North Korea from developing nuclear weapons.

Calling China a supreme partner, Park stressed that Beijing’s strong opposition must lead to actual measures to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

During the latter part of the speech, the president called for swiftly passing anti-terror legislation to deal with North Korean threats.

She also asked for the public's support in helping ride out economic difficulties, calling on the National Assembly to pass the long-protracted economic stimulus packages and labor reform bills.

The main opposition, the Minjoo Party of Korea, expressed disappointment and regret over Park’s speech, saying she failed to offer fundamental solutions to the North Korean issues.

The opposition party also expressed regret that the president continuously put the blame on the National Assembly regarding failures in the economy.