Story highlights Commander of U.S. Forces in Korea says a war with North Korea would be akin to WWII and the Korean War

General thinks North Korean leader would use WMDs to save regime

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Washington (CNN) The commander of American forces in South Korea warned Wednesday that a conflict with North Korea could resemble the scale of World War II.

Describing what the confrontation might look like, Gen. Curtis Scaparrrotti said that, "Given the size of the forces and the the weaponry involved, this would be more akin to the Korean War and World War II -- very complex, probably high casualty."

Scaparrotti made the statement while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee.

The U.S. military suffered 405,399 fatalities in World War II and 36,574 during the Korean War of 1950-1953. Korean casualties were in the millions.

Scaparrotti said Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would use a weapon of mass destruction if he thought the fate of his rule was at stake.

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