Yoon made the remark during a speech marking the 76th Armed Forces Day, as North Korea has intensified its nuclear threats with the first public disclosure of its uranium enrichment facility last month.
"Our military will immediately retaliate against North Korea's provocations based on its robust combat capabilities and solid readiness posture," Yoon said during a commemorative ceremony at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, just south of the capital.
"If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face the resolute and overwhelming response of our military and the South Korea-US alliance. That day will be the end of the North Korean regime," he added.
Yoon denounced Pyongyang for threatening South Korea with its nuclear weapons and missiles, as well as other provocations, while ignoring the suffering of its own people.
"After committing despicable types of provocations like sending trash balloons and GPS jamming attacks, they have now gone so far as to claim a 'two hostile states' theory, even denying the possibility of reunification," he said.
He urged the Kim Jong-un regime to abandon "delusions" that nuclear weapons guarantee its security, vowing to build a strong military and strengthen the security posture based on the strong alliance with the US, as well as trilateral cooperation involving Japan.
"False peace, based on the enemy's goodwill, is nothing but a mirage," Yoon said. "History has proven that the only way to safeguard peace is by strengthening our power so the enemy cannot dare challenge us."
AzVision.az
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