U.S. Commander Worried About North Korean Nuclear Threat, Calls for Seoul to Bolster Defense Forces, Tactics

A commander of the United States army said on Tuesday that South Korea must ramp up its missile and cyber defenses against threats from the North.

Gen. James Thurman, who has worked as a member of the U.S. forces in Korea, will leave his post on Wednesday and retire. Before his withdrawal, Thurman provided a grim estimation of North Korea's perceived motivation to become a nuclear power while painting a heavy picture of Pyongyang's enigmatic leader, Kim Jong-un.

Thurman told the Associated Press that his main worry stems from whether United States ally South Korea will be able to confront the cyber attacks, long-range missiles and heavy artillery that the North has threatened to execute.

South Korea is slated to take control of its own armed forces by the end of 2015. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reported this week that the United States and South Korea are currently talking over a potential extension of this proposed deadline. By that time, South Korea must be equipped to face threats that some officials say are all too real.

Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Samuel Locklear agreed with Thurman's statements, saying that the United States, at first, had high hopes about Kim's move to power. Government officials were optimistic that he wouldn't engage in such provocative, threatening behavior as his predecessors. But since his appointment as Supreme Leader, Kim has maintained Pyongyang's efforts to become a nuclear power.

Thurman said this worried him, given the nature of North Korea's closed society and mysterious dealings - additionally, the North performed an underground nuclear test this past year, which, in his opinion, further strengthened the pressing need for South Korea to improve its defense tactics.

South Korea will work closely with the United States to work on intelligence, surveillance, air and maritime tactics and reconnaissance programs, AP reported.