President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a ceremony of appointing Gen. Kang Ho-pil as a new vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the presidential office in Seoul, April 24. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk Yeol called on the military Wednesday to maintain a firm readiness posture so North Korea does not dare challenge South Korea, according to his office.

Yoon made the remark during a meeting with Gen. Kang Ho-pil, the new vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following a ceremony to mark the general's promotion and appointment.

"The president stressed that they maintain a firm readiness posture so that North Korea does not dare challenge us at a time when the security situation is more serious than ever," the presidential office said.

During the ceremony, Yoon presented Kang with a ribbon engraved with his position, rank and name and tied it to his "samjeonggeom" sword, which military officers receive upon being promoted to a brigadier general and signify national defense, unification and prosperity. (Yonhap)