The Diplomat, a Tokyo-based political journal, on Monday carried a report alleging that U.S. military commandos have been parachuting into North Korea to gather intelligence on Pyongyang's underground military installations. U.S. military officials are rejecting the report.
The Diplomat reported that a senior U.S. special operations commander revealed the supposed commando program at a conference in Florida last week.
But Colonel Withington, a spokesperson for the United States Forces Korea, dismissed the story when contacted by VOA on Tuesday. He said the report took "great liberal license" with the comments made by Army Brig. Gen. Neil Tolley, saying some of the quotes were "made up and attributed to him."