The top military official called on troops Monday to maintain combat readiness around the clock as South Korea is bracing for the possibility of additional provocations by North Korea after the recent nuclear test.

"In preparation against the possibility of the enemy launching further provocations such as a missile provocation, an additional nuclear test or a drone provocation following its nuclear test," the forces should stand with operational readiness all the time, Lee Sun-jin, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during his visit to the 2nd Operations Command.

The field army, based in Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, is in charge of defending non-frontline areas.

"As many key state and military facilities are concentrated in the vicinity of the 2nd Operations Command, it is likely to draw enemy infiltration or provocations," Lee said.

Lee also visited the Air Force's Air Combat Command and its sub combat team also in Daegu and stressed that "If the enemy provokes, retaliate resolutely and harshly." 

South Korea and the outside world are standing on tiptoes as North Korea is widely predicted to conduct a long-range missile launch following its nuclear test on Jan. 6, as part of the path toward developing an intercontinental ballistic missile. (Yonhap)