In China Govt denies political motive as North Korea flights suspended

"North Korea would do well not to test his resolve", Pence added, referring to President Donald Trump's unilateral deployment of 59 cruise missiles to Syria and the USA military's use of its largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan.

On Monday, US Vice President Mike Pence used a visit to Panmunjom, the heavily militarized border between the two Koreas Monday, to declare "all options are on the table" in dealing with Pyongyang, the day after the North's latest failed missile test. "North Korea would do well not to test his resolve or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region". It is being urged by the Trump administration to do more to rein in the North's missile and nuclear weapons programmes.

Pence reiterated the Trump administration position that the "era of strategic patience is over", referencing the policy of prior administrations that attempted to impose crippling economic sanctions on the isolated nation with the view that it would eventually be in a state of economic disaster and be forced to negotiate.

"The era of strategic patience is over".

"We seek peace always as a country, as does Japan, but as you know and the United States knows, peace comes through strength and we will stand strongly with Japan and strongly with our allies for a peace and security in this region", Pence added.

North Korea rolled out a collection of new missiles over the weekend, including several intercontinental ballistic missile models.

Sin Hong-chol, North Korea's deputy foreign minister, told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview on Monday that Donald Trump's administration "should look at the world with open eyes".

Kim In Ryong told a news conference that "if the USA dares opt for a military action", North Korea "is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the U.S".

"We have a wide array of tools at disposal for the president should he choose to use them", the official said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said tensions need to be eased on the Korean Peninsula to bring the escalating dispute there to a peaceful resolution. And he warned that any use of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang would be met with "an overwhelming and effective response". He said the American commitment to South Korea is "iron-clad and immutable".

Just ahead of Pence's arrival in Seoul, North Korea attempted and failed to launch an unidentified missile in their latest weapons test, further raising global concerns. After all, the threat of a foreign invasion is precisely why North Korea has been preparing a massive military force for the last 40 years-and why it is racing to develop long-range nuclear weapons as a deterrent.

JAPAN Pence will meet with Japan's Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso on Tuesday, kicking off talks in Tokyo that the White House hopes will open doors in Japan for US -made products and attract Japanese investment for infrastructure projects in the United States.

"Needless to say, diplomatic effort is important to maintain peace", Abe said, according to The Associated Press. North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un had hinted that a test might take place.

But Trump has also shown he is willing to link trade to other issues, saying he would cut a better trade deal with China if it exerts influence on North Korea to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Pence urged the worldwide community to join USA and regional demands for an end to the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The ambassador stated the United States has created a risky situation on the Korean peninsula with its aggressive actions, and is destabilizing the region.

McMaster said that while the Chinese appear to have applied pressure on North Korea, Washington insists that all options are still on the table.

Pence's visit came amid increasing tensions and heated rhetoric on the Korean Peninsula.