SEOUL, June 23, 2009 (AFP) - The general leading US forces in South Korea said Tuesday that North Korea was likely to use insurgent tactics against both civilians and troops in rear areas should war break out on the peninsula.
General Walter Sharp said in a speech to South Korean army personnel that North Korean commandos could use explosive devices among other tactics, according to Yonhap News Agency.
"I believe we will face IEDs (improvised explosive devices), insurgent forces in addition to large conventional attacks," Sharp said in the speech.
The IEDs could target civilians as well as US and South Korean forces who should strengthen preparedness to tackle such threats, Sharp was quoted as saying.
"Realistic training ensures that the Republic of Korea (South Korea) is fully prepared for a thinking enemy, an enemy that will use IEDs, hide among the population and strike our rear forces and civilians," he said.
Seoul's defence white paper says North Korea, which has 180,000 special warfare troops, has stepped up its capability to wage "night-time, mountaineering training and street warfare" against South Korea.
Tensions have escalated since North Korea conducted its second nuclear test on May 25 and then launched a series of short-range missiles before renouncing the 1953 truce that ended hostilities in the 1950-1953 Korean War.
About 680,000 South Korean soldiers, backed by 28,500 American troops, confront the North's 1.2 million-strong military.
