WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the United States would make an "overwhelming" military response if Pyongyang was to ever successfully launch a nuclear weapon.
The United States "strongly condemns" the missile test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) last night, said the Pentagon chief, noting the attempt, "even in failing, violated several UN Security Council resolutions."
"Make no mistake: any attack on America or our allies will not only be defeated, but any use of nuclear weapons will be met with an overwhelming and effective response." he warned at a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart Han Min-Koo at Pentagon.
The South Korean Defense Minister told reporters that Seoul and Washington will consider "permanently deploying U.S. strategic assets on a rotational basis" in a bid to back up U.S. commitment to defend South Korea from DPRK's nuclear and missile threats.
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