President Park Geun-hye said Friday the government will do its best to pave the way for a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas, while promising to expand support to the military.

"We must all make efforts to take another step towards a peaceful reunification and make the Korean Peninsula tension and provocation free," Park said during a meeting with top governmental officials.

Park also said she has "full confidence" in the country's military, vowing to provide full support to improve soldiers' mission capabilities.

"(I) have full trust in our strong and valiant soldiers, and will provide full support for the execution of your mission," Park said in a separate video message to the country's 650,000-strong military on New Year's Day.

"Our military should be ready to support national development and establish a new military culture," she said.

All able-bodied South Korean men must carry out compulsory military service for about two years in a country facing North Korea across the heavily fortified border.

Meanwhile, Park began the new year by visiting Seoul National Cemetery with her aides and laying a wreath at the memorial tower.

In the visitor's book, Park wrote her wish to "make 2016 a year of peace on the Korean Peninsula to contribute to global peace," according to the presidential office.

Park also said the government aims to make efforts to link the fruits of diplomatic achievements, such as the expansion of free-trade agreements and the deal with Japan on former sex slaves during World War II, to the livelihood of the people throughout 2016.

Earlier this week, Seoul and Tokyo announced an agreement on the former sex slaves that centered on Japan's admission of responsibility for the wartime crime and plans to pay reparations to the victims.


Article and photo by Yonhap News