The commander of U.S. Forces Korea said the recent escalation in North Korea’s hostile rhetoric and military action is a typical pattern that happens every year between March and April.
 
Speaking before a congressional committee Wednesday, Army General Curtis Scaparrotti said the threats are only aimed at expressing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's displeasure at the Korea-U.S. military exercises and displaying the North's military power.
 
Scaparrotti said the Korea-U.S. joint forces have enough deterrent power against the North's aggression.
 
But he pointed out the North Korean military has strengthened its asymmetric warfare capabilities and may fire missiles on very short notice, which are real threats.
 
He said Korea and the U.S. must both strengthen intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to scrutinize the North Korean military's movement and to take preemptive measures.