US VP Pence: Our commitment to S. Korean ally is Iron-clad

On an unannounced visit to the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea Monday, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters that President Donald Trump was hopeful that China would use its “extraordinary levers” to pressure the North to abandon its weapons program. However, he stressed that United States’ commitment to its ally is “iron-clad and immutable.” Speaking in Seoul, Pence reiterated that “all options are on the table” to deal with threat and said that any use of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang would be met with “an overwhelming and effective response.”

Pence earlier visited a military installation near the DMZ and met with American troops. His visit to Seoul launched a 10-day tour of Pacific Rim nations.