SEOUL: The Republic of Korea's (ROK) defense chief called yesterday for a pre-emptive strike on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) if there is a clear indication the country is preparing a nuclear attack.

If there is confirmation of North Korean intention to wage a nuclear attack, South Korea should "immediately launch a strike" on the DPRK, Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said yesterday in Seoul.

Kim, speaking at a seminar, made similar remarks in 2008 when he was chairman of the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff.