The commander of U.S. forces in Korea says Pyongyang’s recent provocative actions are an attempt to ensure the regime's survival.

General Walter Sharp said in a House Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday that regime survival remains the North's overriding internal and external focus.

Sharp, in particular, expressed deep concern over the North’s efforts to maintain the current power structure at the expense of both the North Korean state and its people's future prosperity.

Pyongyang has informed the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization that it plans to launch a communications satellite some time between April fourth and eighth. Some are speculating that the satellite launch could be a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Sharp, who is also the commander of the combined South Korea-U.S. forces, said the North’s recent moves are also aimed at improving its bargaining position for future international concessionary negotiations.

He added that North Korea remains the world's leading supplier of ballistic missiles and related technology, and remains a major party to the proliferation of conventional weapons.

Sharp said the command remains concerned with the threat posed by North Korea's artillery, ballistic missiles, special operating forces, and large conventional military, all of which are located very near the inter-Korean border.