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N Korea 'remains a threat'
02/07/2007 10:15 - (SA)
Seoul, South Korea - The top US military commander in South Korea on Monday criticised last week's missile test launches by North Korea, saying the country remains a threat despite its recent moves toward dismantling its nuclear programme.
US Army Gen BB Bell said he welcomed Pyongyang's efforts to live up to a February commitment to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, part of a programme he called "extremely provocative".
"One of the biggest threats to peace and stability is the potential capability for North Korea to couple its missile technology with its demonstrated nuclear capability," Bell said.
"This is real, it has peninsular, regional and global implications, and we cannot and must not ignore it," added Bell, who has in the past criticised North Korea and expressed concern over its military.
North Korea carried out its first atomic test explosion in October, sparking a UN Security Council resolution condemning it and spurring renewed efforts to persuade the country to give up its nuclear programmes.
Last week, the communist North test-fired three short-range surface-to-surface missiles that landed in its territorial waters, according to US Defence Department officials.
It was the third time in a month that the North test-fired a short-range missile, following launches on May 25 and June 7 and came even as Pyongyang vowed to shut down the key component of its nuclear programme and was welcoming officials from the UN nuclear watchdog.
North continues to test short-range missiles
"What I find very disturbing is that the North continues to test advanced short-range missiles," Bell said, adding that they are designed to be used on the Korean peninsula and that the tests were successful.
He also said that the missiles have enough range not only to threaten Seoul - near the border with North Korea - but other cities as well. He also cited as a threat the North's capability to attack with conventional long-range artillery and special forces.
The four-start general also directs the UN military command on the Korean peninsula and would be responsible for leading US and South Korean troops in any fighting.
Bell said he did not know the reason North Korea continues to conduct missile launches, but questioned why the country chose to do so while officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were visiting the country.
"I can't gauge Kim Jong Il's intent, and I won't try to," Bell said, referring to North Korea's leader. "I will tell you we are ready and capable. And we will stay ready and capable."
North Korea said last week it would move to carry out the February agreement reached with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the US to shut down and seal the Yongbyon nuclear reactor in return for economic assistance. Pyongyang also allowed the IAEA officials to visit the facility for two days.
"We are all very hopeful that the North Koreans will live up to the agreements they have made," to dismantle the programme, Bell said.
Still, he described North Korea's nuclear weapons programme as "extremely provocative, threatening and dangerous to the citizens of South Korea as well as to free men and women worldwide".
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