Change of plans as tensions rise over North Korea
Source: Agencies |
April 8, 2013, Monday
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HEIGHTENED tensions with North Korea have led the United States to postpone congressional testimony by the top US military commander in South Korea and delay an intercontinental ballistic missile test from a West Coast base.
North Korea, after weeks of war threats, has told other nations it will be unable to guarantee diplomats' safety in its capital from Wednesday.
US General James Thurman, commander of the 28,000 American troops in South Korea, will stay in Seoul rather than travel to Washington to appear before congressional committees.
The top US military officer, General Martin Dempsey, who has just wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan, said he had consulted with Thurman about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Dempsey said the US has been preparing for further provocation or action, "considering the risk that they may choose to do something" on one of two nationally important anniversaries in April - the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and the creation of the North Korean army.
Dempsey said both Thurman and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, General Jung Seung-jo, decided it would be best for them to remain in Seoul rather than come to Washington. The Korean general had planned to meet with Dempsey, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, in mid-April for talks.
Asked whether he foresees North Korea taking military action soon, Dempsey said: "No, but I can't take the chance that it won't," and thus the Pentagon has bolstered its missile defenses.
The Pentagon has also postponed an intercontinental ballistic missile test that was set for the coming week at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel decided to put off the long-planned Minuteman 3 test until April because of concerns the launch could be misinterpreted and exacerbate the Korean crisis.
The US has moved two of the Navy's missile-defense ships closer to the Korean Peninsula, and a land-based system is being deployed to the Pacific territory of Guam later this month.
North Korea, after weeks of war threats, has told other nations it will be unable to guarantee diplomats' safety in its capital from Wednesday.
US General James Thurman, commander of the 28,000 American troops in South Korea, will stay in Seoul rather than travel to Washington to appear before congressional committees.
The top US military officer, General Martin Dempsey, who has just wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan, said he had consulted with Thurman about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Dempsey said the US has been preparing for further provocation or action, "considering the risk that they may choose to do something" on one of two nationally important anniversaries in April - the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung and the creation of the North Korean army.
Dempsey said both Thurman and South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, General Jung Seung-jo, decided it would be best for them to remain in Seoul rather than come to Washington. The Korean general had planned to meet with Dempsey, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, in mid-April for talks.
Asked whether he foresees North Korea taking military action soon, Dempsey said: "No, but I can't take the chance that it won't," and thus the Pentagon has bolstered its missile defenses.
The Pentagon has also postponed an intercontinental ballistic missile test that was set for the coming week at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel decided to put off the long-planned Minuteman 3 test until April because of concerns the launch could be misinterpreted and exacerbate the Korean crisis.
The US has moved two of the Navy's missile-defense ships closer to the Korean Peninsula, and a land-based system is being deployed to the Pacific territory of Guam later this month.
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