The commander of U.S. forces stationed in Korea has underscored the need for South Korea and the U.S. to prepare for any Iraq-style insurgency tactics by North Korea.

General Walter Sharp said that North Korea might try to employ such tactics in a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

According to Stars and Stripes, the U.S. Armed Forces newspaper, he is worried that the North will learn a lesson from Iraqi insurgents in using homemade explosives.

The top U.S. military commander said that homemade explosives have had a devastating effect against U.S. forces in Iraq.

He made the remarks during a visit to a U.S. base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.

He said that staff officers will visit South Korea late this year and assess what new training or other measures may be necessary to counter the threat.