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USFK Nominee Warns of N.Korean Missiles
North Korea is strengthening asymmetric systems such as special operations, cyber warfare and nuclear arms because its conventional forces have declined in capability, the officer nominated as the next commander of the U.S. Force Korea told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti was speaking at his confirmation hearing for the job. He added the North also has hundreds of medium and short-range ballistic missiles and keeps increasing their range, destructive power and accuracy. He claimed they pose a threat to the western part of the U.S. mainland as well as Okinawa, Guam and Alaska. The North's successful launch of a space rocket in December 2012 showed that its missile capability has been improved and that it is aimed at the U.S., he speculated. Asked about Seoul's request of another delay in the handover of full operational control of the South Korean troops, he said, "I do agree with the [scheduled] timetable. It is a bilateral agreement, Strategic Alliance 2015, to turn over operational control by December of 2015." Once appointed, he pledged to do his best to meet the schedule. But in a written statement to the committee, he hinted at the possibility of readjusting the schedule, saying the handover transfer should cause no unnecessary crisis in South Korea's security given realistic threats from the North. Scaparrotti added he will talk with the South Korean government about detailed plans, terms and conditions for a successful handover once he takes charge of the USFK. Posted by: Steve White 2013-08-02 |
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