U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reassured Japan of the U.S.'s commitment to reining in DPRK's nuclear and missile ambitions on Tuesday, after warning that U.S. strikes in Syria and Afghanistan showed the strength of its resolve.
Pence arrived in Tokyo from South Korea, where he assured leaders of the "iron-clad" alliance with his country. He also warned the issued a warning to the DPRK, which has conducted a series of missile and nuclear tests in defiance of UN sanctions, that the "era of strategic patience" was over.
Pence's comments come after a failed missile test by the DPRK on Sunday and a strong show of military force including a huge display of its missiles in Pyongyang.
"The era of strategic patience is over and while all options are on the table, President (Donald) Trump is determined to work closely with Japan, with South Korea, with all our allies in the region and with China to achieve a peaceable resolution and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula" Pence said in Tokyo before lunch with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
"... We appreciate the challenging time in which the people of Japan live with increasing provocation across the Sea of Japan. We are with you 100 percent," he said.
DPRK's deputy representative to the United Nations, Kim In Ryong, accused the United States on Monday of creating "a situation where nuclear war could break out at any time" and said Pyongyang's next nuclear test would take place "at a time and at a place where our headquarters deems necessary".
DPRK's Vice Foreign Minister Han Song Ryol told the BBC that missiles would continue to be tested on "a weekly, monthly and yearly basis".
South Korea's acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn, told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that South Korea would strengthen its alliance with the United States and closely cooperate with China to rein in DPRK.
"We should stay on our toes to protect our territory and people's lives," Hwang said.
The North has warned of a nuclear strike against the United States if provoked. It has said it has developed a missile that can strike the mainland United States, but officials and experts believe it is some time away from mastering the necessary technology, including miniaturizing a nuclear warhead.
