The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff says that there has been no unusual military activity in North Korea in spite of an escalation in the North's threats against the U.S. 
 
[Sound bite: US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford]
"We haven't seen a change in the posture of North Korean forces. We watch that very carefully. We, clearly, have postured our forces to respond in the event of a provocation or a conflict."
"We also have taken all the proper measures to protect our allies the South Koreans, the Japanese, the force, as well as Americans in the area.”
 
Gen. Joseph Dunford said on Tuesday during a Senate hearing on his reappointment that while the political space is clearly very charged right now, the U.S. has not seen a change in the posture of North Korean forces.
 
The JCS chief, however, said that it is only a matter of a "very short time" before North Korea possesses a nuclear weapon that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
 
Dunford said the U.S. should assume that North Korea has that capability and has the will to use it. 

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