President Park Geun-hye called on the military Tuesday to maintain its readiness to deter any possible provocation from North Korea amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
  

She said South Korea cannot predict what type of provocations the North may stage, citing North Korea's threats and its leader Kim Jong-un's reign of terror.
  

The North has recently launched a ballistic missile from a submarine and claimed that it has mastered the technology to make nuclear warheads small enough to mount on missiles.
  

In May, South Korea's spy agency said the North executed its defense chief, Hyon Yong-chol, in late April with an anti-aircraft gun for showing disloyalty to Kim.
  

"I hope that you will not let your guard down, and maintain a thorough readiness," Park said in a meeting with the defense minister and top military commanders at Cheong Wa Dae.
  

Defense Minister Han Min-koo vowed to sternly retaliate against North Korea if provoked again.
  

South Korea has repeatedly vowed to strongly retaliate against any provocations to avenge the deaths of 50 South Koreans who were killed in North Korea's two separate attacks in March and November of 2010.
  

Park's comment isn't new, but it came four days after South Korea announced sanctions against six Taiwanese individuals and entities and a Syrian research center, citing evidence of weapons trade with North Korea. North Korea accused Park of heightening tensions on the peninsula. (Yonhap)