Pointing to the quarter-century since North Korea first obtained nuclear weapons, the vice president said a period of patience followed. "But the era of strategic patience is over,'' Mr Pence said. A North Korean missile exploded during launch on Sunday, US and South Korean officials said. Into this tense environment, Mr Pence made his first trip to the region since taking office in January. That led North Korea to issue routine threats of attacks on its rivals if they show signs of aggression.

Source: Bangkok Post April 17, 2017 06:33 UTC