US Vice President Mike Pence visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone Monday, one day after the embarrassing failure of a North Korean missile test which the US and South Korea said exploded on launch.
Amid speculation that Pyongyang may attempt another nuclear test in the coming days, Trump also signalled that China could receive a better trade situation with the United States if it was constructive in dealing with the North Korean regime.
Trump has stated that he wants to see China take a larger role in pressuring the North Korean regime.
So why the recently escalation of tensions with North Korea?
Hours earlier, North Korea carried out a failed missile launch.
On a visit to the border between North and South Korea earlier in the day, Pence, whose father served in the 1950-53 Korean War, said the United States would stand by its "iron-clad alliance" with South Korea.
"Just in the past two weeks, the world witnessed the strength and resolve of our new president in actions taken in Syria and Afghanistan", Pence said.
In a press conference this afternoon he claimed it was "crystal clear" the U.S. and President Donald Trump were "hell bent" on prompting all out war with North Korea.
Senate Armed Service Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Sunday said he does not believe the U.S.is responsible for North Korea's latest missile debacle.
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Police said they have not verified any other shootings or deaths. "We're still asking Steve to turn himself in", said Williams. Residents in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and in are being asked to call police if they spot Stephens or his vehicle.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters in Beijing the situation on the Korean peninsula was "highly sensitive, complicated and high risk", adding all sides should "avoid taking provocative actions that pour oil on the fire". "An abandonment of its nuclear weapons programme and its ballistic missile programme".
"As our secretary of defense made clear here in South Korea not that long ago", Pence said Monday, "we will defeat any attack, and we will meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective response".
North Korea has conducted about ten ballistic missiles tests since 1998 with mixed results.
The plan has been controversial in South Korea, with some anxious that it would make the South more of a target for North Korean missiles, and others concerned about the economic revenge being exacted by China.
Pyongyang is seeking to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five nuclear tests, two of them in 2016. "And, so, it's time for us to undertake all actions we can short of a military option to try to resolve this peacefully".
During a press conference with South Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, Pence also reassured South Korea that Washington's security commitment to its Asian ally is "ironclad and immutable".
Trump wrote Sunday on Twitter that China was working with the United States on "the North Korea problem".
Takei took to his Twitter account to compare Trump to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Last week, Trump said he would not declare China a currency manipulator, pulling back from a campaign promise, as he looked for help from Beijing, which is the North's dominant trade partner.
Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, indicated on Sunday that Trump was not considering military action against North Korea for now, even as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group was heading for the region.
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