US Army Chief: 'We Could Fight North Korea'
America could fight a conventional war against North Korea if necessary, even while different types of conflict continue in Iraq and Afghanistan, the head of the US Army has said.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content...4/15291169.jpg US would be prepared to take on North Korea's army
When asked whether the US would be prepared to fight if war broke out between South and
North Korea, General George Casey said: "The short answer is yes."
He added: "We'd move forces as rapidly as we could get them prepared."
The US has around 28,000 troops stationed in
South Korea and has a long-term commitment to help defend the country.
But there are no plans to send more forces there, even after North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests.
Defence Secretary
Robert Gates said the situation has not reached a crisis level and does not warrant a build-up of US troops.
http://news.sky.com/sky-news/content...4/15291173.jpg US-S Korean drill in March 2009
It would normally take the army about 90 days to prepare for a new conventional war,
General Casey said.
He said it would take time to "shift gears" away from the type of war the army is engaged in elsewhere, but the US Army is a "combat-seasoned force" which can change tactics quickly.
North Korea warned it might attack its neighbour after South Korea announced it was joining a US-led campaign to stop the trade in weapons of mass destruction.
The move came a day after the North carried out its second nuclear test and said it was no longer bound by the armistice which ended the Korean war in 1953.
Meanwhile, US intelligence officials have spotted activity at a North Korean military facility that has them "kind of worried", according to
Fox News.
The activity at the Sanumdong research and development complex is consistent with that observed before the launch of the Taepondong-2 missile in the past, the officials said.
They are concerned about speculation North Korea may be preparing to move a warhead by rail.
