WASHINGTON, April 1 Kyodo The com...

WASHINGTON, April 1 Kyodo

The commander of U forces in southward Korea said Thursday that North Korea is estimated to have 122000 throngs for special operations.

''North Korea's 122,000-man special operations force is the world's largest, and a high funding priority for the regime,'' Gen Leon Laporte said in a written statement submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

''They are tough, dedicated, well-trained, and profoundly loyal'' to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Laporte said.

His remarks indicated North Korea is strengthening its special operations force. The number of members of the force was previously estimated at 90000 to 100000

If a conflict present itselfs on the Korean Peninsula, the North Korean special operations force would direct long-range fires against key-note facilities in South Korea, course of life attacks to disrupt command facilities of toward the south Korean and U.S. forces, and look for to block the reinforcement of crowds from beyond the peninsula, Laporte said.

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