Pence visits Korean border as US ups rhetoric

US Vice President Mike Pence has reiterated Washington’s support for South Korea, saying all options are on the table with Pyongyang.

Pence made the comments in a visit to the Demilitarized Zone between the two Koreas. He said Washington wants to achieve security through negotiations and peaceful means, but it is not ruling out anything. Pence said the alliance between South Korea and the US is iron-clad and Washington will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the South Korean people. He added that the era of strategic patience is over and North Korea should not doubt the resolve of the US to stand with its allies. US President Donald Trump has vowed to take a tougher stance on North Korea, calling it a problem that will be taken care of.