"I remind the DPRK that the path toward peace is yet open. The door for dialogue is still open," said Lee, who recently voiced support for resuming stalled negotiations aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program in a reversal of his previous opposition to the imminent resumption of the talks. "If the DPRK exhibits sincerity, we have both the will and the plan to drastically enhance economic cooperation together with the international community," he said.

"Nuclear weapons and military adventurism must be discarded. The DPRK must work toward peace and cooperation not only with rhetoric but also with deeds," Lee added.

"Any provocation (by the DPRK) that would pose a threat to our lives and property will not be tolerated. Such provocation will be met with stern, strong responses," Lee said.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula were heightened after the RoK and the DPRK exchanged artillery fire near Yonphyong Island on November 23, which resulted in the death of four RoK. Recently, the RoK had also conducted a series of military drills.

Meanwhile, three leading DPRK newspapers issued a joint New Year editorial Saturday, stressing the country's will to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK is "consistent in its stand and will to achieve peace in Northeast Asia and the denuclearization of the whole of the Korean peninsula," said the editorial jointly issued by the newspapers Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi.

The editorial said the confrontation between the DPRK and the RoK should be defused as early as possible and the DPRK would launch a more determined campaign to improve inter-Korean relations and reunify the country under the slogan "Let all Koreans in the DPRK, the RoK and abroad join efforts and bring a new phase of independent reunification."

It urged the RoK’s authorities to scrap the policy of confrontation and respect the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration. It also called for "active efforts" to create an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation between the DPRK and the RoK by placing their common interests above anything else.