President Park Geun-hye called on the police Friday to thwart any possible terrorist attempts by North Korea amid rising tension on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea believes that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered officials to concentrate on building capabilities for terror attacks and cyberattacks against the South.

Tensions have spiked on the peninsula over North Korea's fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and long-range rocket launch on Feb. 7.

"I hope that the police will deal effectively with any possible terrorist attempt," Park said in a graduation and commissioning ceremony at the Korean National Police University in Asan, about 100 kilometers south of Seoul.

Besides the North Korean threat, Seoul deported 53 foreigners in recent months for possible affiliations with terrorist groups.

The chief executive then called on the police to establish law and order, saying the eradication of corruption and fair enforcement of the law can reduce social costs and boost efforts to revitalize the economy.

Park also asked the police to cut the vicious circle of violence, noting a series of recent incidents of child abuse, asking them to focus on the blind spots of public order.

Also Friday, Park paid homage to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a 16th century naval hero, by visiting the Hyeonchung Shrine in Asan where he is honored.

Yi is revered as a national hero in South Korea for defeating about 330 Japanese battleships with only a dozen turtle ships during Japan's invasion of Korea (1592-98).

Park wrote in the visitor's book at the shrine that she will establish a foundation of "prosperity and peace on the Korean Peninsula by inheriting" Yi's spirit. (Yonhap)