South Korea says no use of nuclear weapons in joint operational plans with U.S.

FILE PHOTO: South Korean marines take part in a U.S.-South Korea joint landing operation drill as a part of the two countries' annual military training called Foal Eagle, in Pohang, South Korea, April 2, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Tuesday none of its joint military action plans with the United States include any use of nuclear weapons, after a book by a U.S. journalist sparked debate over whether scenarios of a full-blown war with North Korea would entail a nuclear attack from either side.

In his new book, titled "Rage," Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward wrote that the United States had devised plans for a possible armed clash with North Korea, such as "the U.S. response to an attack that could include the use of 80 nuclear weapons." The book was based on multiple interviews with U.S. President Donald Trump.