US Vice President Mike Pence, who is on a trip to South Korea, says the era of patience with North Korea is over, warning Pyonyang over its development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

Afghan Voice Agency(AVA), On the second day of his first trip to the South since taking office, Pence headed to Camp Bonifas joint base just outside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on the border with the North and met with South Korean and American troops stationed there.

The DMZ is a heavily mined ۴-kilometers-wide (۲.۵ miles) strip that separates two Koreas.

The US vice president said his country stands by its “iron-clad alliance” with South Korea and would try to maintain stability in the Korean Peninsula through strength.

Warning the North that “all options are on the table,” Pence said Washington was ready to take appropriate action to protect South Koreans.
“All options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country," he said. “There was a period of strategic patience but the era of strategic patience is over.”

Pence’s visit to the DMZ came against the backdrop of what American and South Korean officials called a “failed” missile launch by Pyongyang early on Sunday.

Describing the launch as “a provocation,” Pence said US President Donald Trump was working with China and other allies to come up with a tough response.