Mike Pence: Era of 'strategic patience' with North Korea is over

US Vice-President Mike Pence has warned the White House will no longer employ a policy of “strategic patience” in relation to North Korea, after the isolated regime was criticised following a failed missile launch at the weekend.

Pence was speaking during a visit to border between the DPRK and its neighbour South Korea, where tensions have been fraught in recent months as Kim Jong-un’s regime steps up its missile programme. He also described the bond between the US and South Korea as "unshakeable" during an address on Monday.

"All options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country," Pence said, adding that "the era of strategic patience" overseen by the previous administration was "over".

A four-kilometre long stretch of land between the two squabbling neighbours is designated as a demilitarised zone, which has been in place since the end of the Korean War.

Pence was speaking during a visit to border between the DPRK and its neighbour South Korea

"We are grateful to all of those who each and every day stand in the gap for freedom here at the DMZ. It is a testament to the unshakeable bond between our people," Pence added.

US President Donald Trump has had a busy few weeks on the foreign policy front, with an ongoing dispute with Russia over the conflict in Syria, as well as the North Korean issue and related diplomatic tensions with China.

South Korea has accused China of discriminating economically against businesses from the country, after the latter reacted to the placement of a US anti-missile system close to Chinese waters.

"The United States is troubled by China's economic retaliation against South Korea for taking appropriate steps to defend itself," the Vice President said.