Vice President Pence Visits The North Korean Border

Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced visit to the Demilitarized Zone at the border between North Korea and South Korea, which he called a "frontier of freedom," at the beginning of his first trip to the region in office. In a revealing interview with CNN at the border, Pence said that the new administration's plans to deal with North Korea and its authoritarian government will diverge from that of past presidencies.

"We're going to abandon the failed policy of strategic patience," he told CNN. "But we're going to redouble our efforts to bring diplomatic and economic pressure to bear on North Korea. Our hope is that we can resolve this issue peaceably." He also focused on the importance of China in dealing with the threats to global stability posed by North Korea: "Resolving this issue requires all relevant parties, especially parties that bear major responsibility and play a key role in this issue, to work in the same direction and make a joint effort."

During the visit, Pence broke with established safety protocols, stepping out from behind protective glass and walking in the direction North Korean soldiers in the demilitarized zone. The soldiers photographed the vice president.

Read the full report at CNN.

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