U.S. commander fears N. Korea would sell nukes

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SEOUL -- North Korea poses a regional danger because the communist regime is likely to sell its nuclear arms and expertise to rogue states or terrorists, the commander of U.S. forces in South Korea said yesterday.

"North Korea is a known proliferator of military technology," said Army Gen. Leon LaPorte in an interview with reporters. "We believe that nothing would prevent them from selling weapons-grade nuclear material to other countries, rogue nations or terrorist organizations."

That could lead to terrorist groups obtaining and using nuclear bombs.

"That's the concern that we have relative to North Korea's nuclear program," Gen. LaPorte said.

North Korea's large military has outdated conventional equipment, but is backed by an estimated 800 missiles and nuclear weapons.

The North Korean military ranks No. 1 in the world in terms of submarine forces, special operations commandos and artillery, he said.

While the North Korean navy and air force are not well-armed, the ground forces are very powerful, Gen. LaPorte said.

North Korea's "asymmetric threat" lies in its 120,000 special forces commandos and its chemical weapons.

"Their doctrine is to use chemical weapons as a standard munition," he said.