Two Koreas could eventually reunify, U.S. army chief of staff says

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Army Chief of Staff Mark A. Milley struck a note of cautious optimism on Monday, when he said the two Koreas would eventually reunify.

Speaking at the Defense One Summit in Washington, D.C., Milley said North and South Koreans share the same language, rendering very high the likelihood the two countries would unify under South Korea, Radio Free Asia reported.

The U.S. military official said unification could occur either peacefully or in the aftermath of violence, but that the United States favors a gradual unification through peaceful and diplomatic means.

While discussing the landmine provocations that took place in August inside the Korean demilitarized zone, or DMZ, Milley said the Kim Jong Un regime continues to engage in a variety of provocations. These provocations between North and South, he said, though small in scale, could result in a large-scale war, which would be a tragic outcome for Koreans on both sides of the divide.

Milley said he doesn't believe the Chinese government or its military are capable of controlling the decisions being made in Pyongyang, but China still could exercise influence over its longtime ally.

China is North Korea's most important economic partner, but its political influence over North Korea's defense choices has declined. U.S. officials have said China's lack of leverage in Pyongyang was a source of concern.

In addition to North Korea threats and provocations, Milley said the rise of China was presenting new challenges for the United States in Asia.

Tension have increased near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, after a U.S. naval carrier sailed within waters claimed by China near the reefs.