New S. Korean Defense Minister comments

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South Korea's new Defense Minister Kim Tae-young has vowed to keep strong army to cope with security issues on the Korean peninsula.

The Defense Ministry in Seoul held a welcoming ceremony for Kim on Wednesday. He emphasized the importance of changes and reform in handling tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Last year, he said he would order a preemptive attack on the DPRK if it deployed tactical nuclear weapons. Since then Kim has been regarded as a hawkish military leader.

And, last week, he said his position will not change as the DPRK remains a threat to South Korea's national security.