Prime Minister and acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn paid a visit to the military on Sunday and called for full-fledged security, his office said, amid rising political uncertainties in the wake of the recent parliamentary passing of the presidential impeachment bill.

"A little ant hole can bring down a great dike," said Hwang, in his visit to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in central Seoul, urging the officials to stay on alert.




Hwang chose the JSC as his first field tour after assuming the role of acting president, signaling his intention to prioritize national defense.

In his JCS address, Hwang warned against North Korea's continued provocations via nuclear and missile programs throughout this year. The military visit came two days after the parliamentary passage of the presidential impeachment bill on Friday.

"We are facing a grave security status, as we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of North Korean provocations near the northern limit line (NLL)," he said, adding that Pyongyang can make additional provocations at any time, depending on its leadership.

Hwang was accompanied by Defense Minister Han Min-koo, JCS Chairman Gen. Lee Sun-jin, Government Policy Coordination Office chief Lee Suk-joon and National Security Office chief Kim Kwan-jin.

Hwang will remain with the acting president's post while the Constitutional Court has 180 days to determine whether or not to endorse the impeachment.

By Yonhap News