U.S. commander: Intelligence sharing key to obstructing North Korea military

SEOUL, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Commander of U.S. Forces Korea Gen. Vincent Brooks recommended more effective information sharing among members of the trilateral alliance that includes Seoul and Tokyo.

The sharing of information would deter North Korea's military capabilities, Brooks said during a defense forum sponsored by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul.

The information each country retains are like dispersed fragments, Brooks said, according to South Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo.

In the case of a North Korea provocation, the lack of more comprehensive information makes it difficult to respond effectively, the U.S. commander said Tuesday.

But if the United States, South Korea and Japan show a unified effort on intelligence sharing, Kim Jong Un's military power will not be able to deliver, Brooks said.

The U.S. commander then assured the South Korean audience the THAAD system to be deployed in the country is safe.

Brooks said he is very familiar with the U.S. anti-missile defense system and arranged the deployment of THAAD in three countries in the last five years.

He also said the decision to deploy THAAD was a good idea and that the U.S. military in Korea would work to ensure there are no dangers in order to protect local residents.

In July the U.S. military demonstrated the safety of THAAD to South Korean reporters.

But distrust between the residents of Seongju, where THAAD is to be deployed in 2017, and the government, lingers.