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Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, answers questions from other participants in a policy debate at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps

By Jung Da-min

Tensions are rising over main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks that South Korea would have no choice but to carry out a preemptive strike to prevent North Korea's possible missile attack if necessary, following the North's latest launch of what it called a hypersonic missile.

Critics including ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung called Yoon's remarks irresponsible, as support for a preemptive strike against the North could escalate tensions not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the East Asian region as well as the international community.

However, others said further discussions are needed on the matter, as a preemptive strike could be necessary in an emergency situation where a nuclear missile attack from the North could be imminent.

Hours after the North's missile test, Tuesday, Yoon said South Korea would not be able to intercept a missile from the North if it flies faster than Mach 5, which leaves Seoul only one option, to launch a preemptive strike, through the country's Kill Chain preemptive strike system.

The Kill Chain system is at the forefront of the military's three-axis air defense system along with the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan.