Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon says North Korea is continuously engaging in provocations in order to complete its development of nuclear weapons and missiles.
 
Cho made the remark during a luncheon meeting with reporters at the ministry.
 
The minister said he believes that the North will seek to seek dialogue or other measures only after it has entered the final stage of its nuclear weapons and missile development.
 
Cho said the North is likely to again launch a missile as early as this Saturday when it marks its founding day or continuously engage in various type of provocations for the time being.
 
He said Seoul is trying to do all it can to prevent the North from completing the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile and loading it with a nuclear warhead.
 
The minister stressed that Seoul maintains a clear stance that the denuclearization of North Korea must, by all means, be realized through peaceful means.