"Based on firm military posture, the government will make diplomatic efforts to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue peacefully," he added.

Touching on humanitarian aid to North Korea, the minister expressed regret that Seoul suspended its support during the previous nine years of conservative governments.

"Even at the height of North Korea's nuclear standoff, the international community kept providing humanitarian assistance to the North," he said. "South Korea was swayed by politics as to this issue. It is regrettable and lamenting."

In May, the South said that it will allow more civic groups to seek exchanges with the North to an extent that the move would not hamper the international sanctions regime. But the North has rejected them. (Yonhap)