DEFECTOR: U. S. STRIKE WOULD TRIGGER BARRAGE

WASHINGTON A high-ranking North Korean defector has told a congressional hearing that a pre- emptive U. S. military strike would trigger automatic retaliation, with the North unleashing artillery and short-range missile fire on South Korea.

Thae Yong Ho testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He defected in 2016 as deputy chief of mission at the North Korean Embassy in London.

Thae said the U. S. and South Korea would win a war after a preventive military strike, but there would be a “human sacrifice” from the barrage.