North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, promising an uncompromising and more assertive response to Pyongyang's provocations.In a strongly-worded televised speech to the National Assembly, Ms Park warned that South Koreans had over the years become "numb" to the threat from their northern neighbour, and said it was time to take a more courageous stand.
North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test last month and followed that up on February 7 with a long-range rocket launch that was widely condemned as a ballistic missile test banned under UN resolutions.
Arguing that efforts to foster cooperation with the North had led nowhere, Ms Park said it was time to prioritise the stick over the carrot in bringing Pyongyang into line.