Washington, July 15: The United States is ready to counter any possible attack from North Korea, says the top US military commander in South Korea.
General Walter “Skip” Sharp said on Tuesday that US and South Korean forces were prepared for “anything North Korea can throw at us.”
Speaking by video conference from New York, the general also urged North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to stop threatening the world with nuclear and missile tests.
The North conducted its second nuclear test and a series of missile launches earlier this year.
Sharp noted that if diplomatic efforts fail, he is “absolutely confident” that Washington and Seoul can intercept any missiles Pyongyang fires at the South and quickly and successfully defeat any land or sea attacks.
North Korea has threatened a “thousand-fold” military retaliation against the US and its allies if provoked.
The US and its allies are working to enforce sanctions imposed by the UN to punish North Korea for its nuclear test in May, even as they push the North to resume the stalled six-nation nuclear disarmament talks.
—–Agenciees