US General B.B. Bell: Missile Tests a Threat to Seoul

By KELLY OLSEN

SEOUL, South Korea - The top U.S. military commander in South Korea on Monday criticized last week's missile test launches by North Korea, saying the country remains a threat despite its recent moves toward dismantling its nuclear program.

Gen. B.B. Bell said he welcomed Pyongyang's efforts to live up to a February commitment to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, part of a program he called "extremely provocative."

But he also noted the communist country still retains the capability to attack Seoul with conventional artillery and special forces. "This is a very real threat which cannot be ignored," he told reporters at the National Press Club in Seoul.

MSNBC.com  (Posted 7/1/07)