General sees another N. Korea nuclear test

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SEOUL -- The senior U.S. commander in South Korea said yesterday that North Korea will likely conduct another nuclear test, and he also vented his frustration at a range of issues bedeviling Washington's military alliance with Seoul.

"They have self-proclaimed their possession of nuclear weapons, and there is no reason to believe that at some time in the future, when it serves their purposes, that they won't test another one," Gen. Burwell B. Bell said of North Korea, which detonated a nuclear device on Oct 9. "So I suspect some day they will."

The general, speaking to reporters, declined to discuss whether a test was imminent, citing confidentiality of intelligence.

ABC News last week reported Pyongyang might be preparing for another test. Citing unnamed U.S. defense officials, the network said the moves were similar to steps taken before the October blast.

Top U.S. and South Korean officials have dismissed the speculation, saying there is no indication such a development was imminent.

Gen. Bell also expressed concerns about the relocation of the headquarters of the U.S. forces in South Korea, the transfer of wartime command of South Korean forces to South Korean leadership, and budgetary shortfalls.

"I must admit that I was surprised when I read local press reports that [a South Korean] government official stated the relocation of U.S. forces would not occur until after 2013," he said. "This was news to me, and not at all reflective of the agreement we have with [South Korea] to achieve the move by 2008."

Yongsan garrison, home to 6,500 troops and 8,000 civilians -- family members and defense contractors -- has been a bone of contention in the alliance for years. Talks to relocate the central Seoul base have been ongoing since 1990, but only in 2004 did the two countries sign an agreement to relocate it to the city of Pyeongtaek, 55 miles south of the capital, by 2008.

Construction of the new base is under way, but last month, local press reports, quoting an unnamed South Korean government official, stated the move would be delayed until 2013. Seoul officials have not refuted the reports.

Noting that many U.S. personnel and their families were living in dilapidated facilities at Yongsan, Gen. Bell said that with the move planned, he could not construct new facilities on the current base.