By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/extended-excerpt-gen-walter-skip-sharp Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Gen. Sharp: U.S., Allies Could Neutralize N. Korean Missile World Jan 13, 2011 1:20 PM EDT If Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ prediction this week is correct, and North Korea is developing a missile — nuclear or otherwise — that can hit the United States, U.S. and allied forces are prepared to neutralize it, Gen. Walter “Skip” Sharp, commander of U.S. forces in Korea said Thursday. “It’s all part of the capability that North Korea has and … what we have to be prepared to do is to be able to, No. 1, deter, but if deterrence doesn’t work, be prepared to respond. And that includes the capability that if our national level decides … to be able to not allow North Korea to shoot a Taepodong missile, or an intercontinental ballistic missile,” he said. Despite North Korea’s current let’s-talk charm offensive, Sharp says he sees “no” evidence that they’re sincere about putting the brakes on their nuclear program. The NewsHour is reporting in South Korea this week on military tensions with the North and Koreans’ perspectives on relations between the two countries. Follow all of our coverage. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
If Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ prediction this week is correct, and North Korea is developing a missile — nuclear or otherwise — that can hit the United States, U.S. and allied forces are prepared to neutralize it, Gen. Walter “Skip” Sharp, commander of U.S. forces in Korea said Thursday. “It’s all part of the capability that North Korea has and … what we have to be prepared to do is to be able to, No. 1, deter, but if deterrence doesn’t work, be prepared to respond. And that includes the capability that if our national level decides … to be able to not allow North Korea to shoot a Taepodong missile, or an intercontinental ballistic missile,” he said. Despite North Korea’s current let’s-talk charm offensive, Sharp says he sees “no” evidence that they’re sincere about putting the brakes on their nuclear program. The NewsHour is reporting in South Korea this week on military tensions with the North and Koreans’ perspectives on relations between the two countries. Follow all of our coverage. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now