U.S. general faults North’s missile test

The top U.S. military commander in South Korea today criticized last week’s missile test launches by North Korea, saying the country remained a threat despite its recent moves toward dismantling its nuclear program.

Gen. B.B. Bell told reporters in Seoul that he welcomed Pyongyang’s efforts to live up to a February commitment to shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, part of a program he called “extremely provocative.” But he noted that the communist country still retains the capability to attack Seoul with conventional forces and arms.