The US vice president has reiterated that the “era of strategic patience” between his country and North Korea is over.<br /><br /> Mike Pence visited the demilitarised border between North and South Korea on the first stop of a four-nation Asia tour intended to show America’s allies and adversaries that the Trump administration is not turning its back on the increasingly volatile region.<br /><br /> Pence arrives at U.S. base in South Korea next to DMZ border with North https://t.co/MNY8nLHdzL pic.twitter.com/mQpJWxnifm— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) 17 avril 2017<br /> <br /><br /> He landed in South Korea hours after the North’s failed missile launch.<br /><br /> His visit came a day after North Korea held a military parade in its capital, Pyongyang.<br /><br /> The event marked the 105th anniversary of the birth of founding father, Kim Il Sung.<br /><br /> What did Pence say?<br /><br /> That the US would stand by its “iron-clad alliance” with South Korea and is seeking peace through strength.<br /><br /> “All options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country,” Pence told reporters.<br /><br /> He said US President Donald Trump has made it clear he will not talk about specific military tactics.<br /><br /> “There was a period of strategic patience but the era of strategic patience is over,” said Pence, whose father served in the 1950-53 Korean War.<br /><br /> These brave service members from the US and South Korea stand guard as freedom's first line of defense. pic.twitter.com/SQyHnbEXRL— Vice President Pence (@VP) 17 avril 2017<br /> <br /><br /> What is the demilitarised zone?<br /><br /> A heavily-mined, four-kilometre wide strip of land lined with barbed wire.<br /><br /> It runs right across the Korean peninsula with soldiers on both sides.<br /><br /> What is Trump’s strategy on North Korea?<br /><br /> It reportedly focuses on tougher economic sanctions, possibly including an oil embargo, a global ban on its airline, intercepting cargo ships and measures against Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang.<br /><br /> Most options fall into four categories: economic sanctions, covert action, diplomatic negotiations and military force.<br /><br /> China<br /><br /> Trump is hopeful China “will take actions needed to bring about change in policy” in North Korea, Pence told reporters.<br /><br /> “But as the president has made very clear, either China will deal with this problem or the US and our allies will,” the US vice president added.<br /><br /> Japan<br /><br /> Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has urged North Korea to refrain from taking further provocative actions, comply with UN resolutions and abandon its nuclear missile development.<br /><br /> “Japan will closely cooperate with the US and South Korea over North Korea and will call for China to take a bigger role,” Abe told parliament.<br /><br /> Japan PM strongly urges North Korea to refrain from further provocative actions https://t.co/Vsoe1bxUez pic.twitter.com/owJsPvYpqo— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) 17 avril 2017<br />
