US general says nuclear North Korea still weaker

Seoul, Oct 30: The commander of US Forces in South Korea said today the North's nuclear test did not change the balance of power on the peninsula and US and South Korean forces could quickly defeat the communist state.

''The nuclear test in and of itself, in my view no way affects the balance of power,'' US General BB Bell told a news conference.

Bell said that US and South Korean forces were far superior to the North's 1.2 million-man military and could quickly stamp out a North Korean attack.

There are about 30,000 US troops in South Korea whose own military numbers around 670,000.

''I also know with some certainty that if for some reason deterence fails and North Korea attacks South Korea in any way, that we would quickly and decisively defeat the aggression,'' Bell said.

He added he expects North Korea will again try to test a nuclear device.

North Korea conducted its first test on October 9 saying it had no choice in the face of threats by the United States.

Reuters