North Korea threat requires "new and creative" moves: Bishop

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Viewing his adversaries in the distance, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to the tense zone dividing North and South Korea and warned Pyongyang that after years of testing the U.S. and South Korea with its nuclear ambitions, "the era of strategic patience is over".

Said Abe: "It goes without saying that it is a matter of paramount importance for us to seek diplomatic efforts as well peaceable settlements of the issue". "We are with you 100 percent".

Pence told Abe that the US administration is determined to work with Japan, China and South Korea on the issue to find a resolution, and that all options are on the table.

Pence arrived in Tokyo from South Korea, where he assured leaders of the "iron-clad" alliance with the United States.

Pence arrived in South Korea hours after North Korea conducted its latest test of a ballistic missile, which exploded within a few seconds, and amid a weekend of fanfare in North Korea, during which the regime showed off what appeared to be new missiles created to reach the United States.

North Korea will continue to test missiles, a senior official has told the BBC in Pyongyang, despite global condemnation and growing military tensions with the US.

The Foreign Secretary urged North Korea to stop its "belligerent acts" and comply with United Nations resolutions after its most recent missile test.

Earlier, US Vice-President Mike Pence warned North Korea not to test the US.

White House officials said the economic meetings in Tokyo, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and other officials, are meant to forge a framework for future discussions after the US withdrew from a Pacific Rim trade pact.

The U.S. holds the council's rotating presidency and, signaling the priority it is giving to the matter, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to chair the session.

Kim said his country was ready to react to any "mode of war" from the United States.

At the outset of his meeting with Abe, Pence said that "While all options are on the table", Trump was determined to work with Japan, South Korea and other allies in the region to resolve the problem.

South Korea to Produce New Pre-emptive Strike Missile
The tactical ship-to-ground guided missile will be mass-produced next year, according to the Yonhap News Agency . South Korea has selected a golf course in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as the site for the THAAD system.

"Now there is a United States without hesitations, preparing a military attack at a sovereign state while claiming peace by strength".

Trump insists all options, including military action, are on the table to prevent North Korea from achieving nuclear weapons capability.

He said the U.S. was with Japan "100 per cent" and noted the challenge of living with "increasing provocations from across the Sea of Japan".

The Trump administration wants to attract more foreign direct investment, hoping to lure some with a $1 trillion plan to rebuild US roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

In early March, the North simultaneously fired four ballistic missiles off its east coast, three of which fell provocatively close to Japan, in what it said was a drill for an attack on USA bases in the country. They also say greater Chinese cooperation is vital.

At a White House press briefing on Monday, spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr Trump was not going to "telegraph" his next move.

North Korea also appeared to reveal two new types of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during Saturday's parade.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a fresh appeal for calm.

His economic discussions will be closely watched to see how hard a line Washington is prepared to take on trade.

Trump campaigned for office on an "America First" platform, saying he would boost USA manufacturing jobs and shrink the country's trade deficit with countries like Japan.

After Xi's return to China, Trump continued to pressure him.

With the USA already considering "all options", Hwang said a North Korean violation of its United Nations commitments would be met with "a corresponding consequence". One called for "dual-track" talks on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and replacing the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War with a formal peace treaty.

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