U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, said North Korea’s provocations had entered a long-term phase and were expected to be drawn out.

According to Japan’s Kyodo News Agency, Dempsey said provocations from North Korea would continue for some time based on the state of the North’s leadership under Kim Jong-un. Kyodo said Dempsey had made the comments during a visit to a military school in Japan.

Dempsey also said South Korea, the U.S., and Japan should keep their guard against all possible North Korean provocations.