North Korea flag bearers at the Olympics. (Wikimedia Commons)

South Korea is preparing to launch a quick counterattack if North Korea acts on promises of aggression, according to the New York Times.

North Korea has claimed in the past week that they are closing in on nuclear war after February United Nations sanctions and recent shows of force from the south and the United States.

The north pointed to the south's military drills as evidence of a need to muster for an attack. Last week, the United States flew under-the-radar fighter jets over South Korea, which further provoked the north.

"If there is any provocation against South Korea and its people, there should be a strong response in initial combat without any political considerations," South Korea's president said at a meeting with senior officials Monday.

The government gave permission to local units to respond to attacks immediately without seeking consent from Seoul.

The South Koreans also promised to destroy states of North Korea's Kim dynasty leaders if they are attacked. 

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of North Korea here.

Reach Executive Producer Michael Juliani here.