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Mike Pence Pledges U.S. Support To South Korea

"The era of strategic patience is over."

U.S Vice President Mike Pence has pledged unshakable support of South Korea during his Asia tour.

While he spoke very little of North Korea's failed missile launch on Sunday, he told reporters at the Korean Demilitalised Zone(DMZ) that the "era of strategic patience is over."

Pence declared that the United States is frustrated with North Korean unwillingness to destroy its nuclear weapons.

"We want to see North Korea abandon its reckless path of the development of nuclear weapons, and also its continual use and testing of ballistic missiles is unacceptable" he said.

U.S Vice President Mike Pence visits the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S Vice President Mike Pence visits the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea.

He explained that the U.S. and its allies would combat North Korea through "peaceable means, or ultimately by whatever means are necessary", where Pence's tour seeks to reinforce U.S. commitment to protecting and supporting the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Pence also said at the DMZ that President Donald Trump is hopeful China will use their "extraordinary levers" to pressure the North to abandon their weapons. Donald Trump himself said on Sunday that the U.S. relationship with China was stronger than ever, as both powers are working on "the North Korea problem."

In his visit to Seoul, the first of four stops on his tour, Pence attended a wreath laying ceremony at the National Cemetery, before touring the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea.

Vice President Mike Pence attends wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
AHN YOUNG-JOON via Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence attends wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery in Seoul.

The Vice President's ten-day tour will also take him to Japan, Jakata and Sydney. Mike Pence is due to arrive in Sydney on the 22nd of April.

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