The commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) says the U.S. and South Korea reviewed during a recent joint military drill the steps that would be taken to stabilize North Korea in the event of a sudden collapse of the communist state.

General Walter Sharp told reporters Thursday that such a contingency was reviewed during the Ulchi Freedom Guardian military drills last month.

Sharp said that it is highly important that realistic drills be held to prepare for possible incidents on the Korean Peninsula.

He said that should such a collapse occur, there may be combat in some regions and operations in others to stabilize noncombat areas.

He said South Korea and the U.S. jointly practiced defensive and offensive postures and exercises while at the same time going over the provision of humanitarian aid and the stabilization of noncombat regions.