US, South Korea Vow ‘Overwhelming Response' If North Korea Uses Nukes

The allies issued a joint statement voicing 'serious concern' over communist nation's nuclear law

The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, on Aug. 23, 2016. Courtesy of Ken Scar/U.S. Army/Handout via Reuters

The United States and South Korea warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea would be met with an “overwhelming and decisive” response following North Korea’s adoption of a first-use nuclear doctrine last week.

The two allies issued a joint statement after a vice ministerial-level meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group on Sept. 16, in which they expressed “serious concern” over North Korea’s nuclear law.