The United States warns that «the era of strategic patience» is over with North Korea

US Vice President Mike Pence warned Monday that Washington’s «era of strategic patience» toward North Korea is over.

And he warned that Pyongyang «would do well not to test the demise» of President Donald Trump.

Pence made the remarks during a visit to the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea, a day after the failed launch of a North Korean missile.

The vice president of the United States Is on the first stop of a 10-day tour that in addition to South Korea includes Japan, Indonesia and Australia in times of extreme tension on the Korean peninsula.

Pence, whose father fought in the 1950-53 Korean War, said the United States will maintain its «iron alliance» with South Korea.

The official spoke of the «determination of the American people and president» to resolve the situation «through peaceful means, through negotiations.»

But Pence warned that «all options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country, in a new insinuation that the military is a possibility if Pyongyang strains too much rope.

While the US Vice President He uttered a statement of propaganda from the North Korean side.

The demilitarized zone is a strip of four kilometers of mined width that crosses the border between the two countries, technically still at war for more than 65 years, and the only point where troops from North and South are seen face to face, which Makes the tension between Pyongyang and Seoul palpable.

Pence was transferred from downtown Seoul (about 50 miles south of the demilitarized zone) in a Blackhawk military helicopter to land at Camp Bonifas, named after one of the two US soldiers. To those who killed North Korean troops in an incident in the zone demilitarized in 1976.
Cooperation with China

On Sunday, President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, H.R. McMaster said the United States is working together with China in response to North Korean provocations.

«We are working together with our allies and partners, and with Chinese leaders, to come up with a range of options» that are ready if the North Korean regime persists in its «destabilizing and provocative pattern» and refuses to «de-nucleanise,» said H.R. McMaster in statements to the American chain ABC from Afghanistan.

McMaster added that in the «coming weeks, months» there will be «a great opportunity for everyone» to «take action except the armed conflict, so that the worst can be avoided.»

Asked if the military option is still on the table, the adviser replied: «all our options are on the table, in the process of improvement and further development.»

McMaster added that the failed launch of a North Korean missile over the weekend «fits the pattern of provocative, destabilizing and threatening behavior of the North Korean regime.»
Military exercises

An unidentified US military official reportedly said North Korea’s missile was probably an intermediate range missile and not an intercontinental (ICBM) missile.

In January the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, assured that his country completes the development of an ICBM that can reach the United States.

Following another missile launched on April 5 by North Korea, the Pentagon sent the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson to the peninsula.

On the other hand, US troops And South Korea currently hold joint military exercises, which will last for two weeks.

This scenario of great tension is compounded by the possibility that the regime of Kim Jong-an will decide to carry out in the next few days a sixth atomic test.

Recent photos seem to indicate according to analysts that everything is ready in its nuclear base to execute one, a gesture that would escalate the nervousness in the region.

Source.BBC