language]ng foreign >> good afternoon. first of all, i would like to wholeheartedly welcome vice president pence on his first visit to korea. i would like to extend my warmest welcome to his family and delegation. >> [speaking foreign language]

>> vice president pence late father was a korean war veteran that has devoted himself to our freedom and democracy during the korean war. and this morning, vice president pence visited the demilitarized zone to inspect our stalwart combined defense posture and reconfirm our strong will.

only ambolizes not strong personal time but also the depth and sturdiness of our alliance that has lasted over 60 years. >> [speaking foreign language] >> and with the security situation on the korean peninsula being dire due to north korea's missile provocations, vice president pence's visit to korea is the first visit since taking office and shows the first stance of the new u.s. administration on developing a reliance and

responding to north korea's missile threats. as such, i believe it is meaningful. >> [speaking foreign language] >> the vice president and i share the view that on the basis of close cooperation and collaboration, the rough u.s. alliance has grown to an indefensible linchpin for peace

and security on the korean peninsula and in northeast asia as well as a successful strategic alliance that works together to resolve global challenges. have also reconfirmed our unwavering will to continue to make our alliance even stronger through further cooperation in the areas of security, economy, trade, and global issues. language]ng foreign

>> 10 days ago on april 10, i spoke with president trump on the results of the u.s. china summit and ways to work together going forward. today with vice president pence, we shared the understanding of the gravity and urgency of north korea's nuclear and missile threat. the agreed to double efforts of the strategic calculations by further tightening the global network of pressure on north korea. thoroughly implementing the sanctions on the ongoing principle of the ongoing north korean nuclear weapons. speaking foreign language]

>> china's constructed efforts and roles are critical. we applaud the results of the u.s. china summit and will closely strengthen our cooperation with china. if north korea commits another provocation, we will swiftly implement intense punitive measures. [speaking foreign language]

>> at the same time, in response to north korea's continuously advancing missile threat, we have agreed to pursue various for extended deterrence. posture of thess u.s. alliance in response to north korea's growing threat by ensuring the early deployment and operation of the us system. language]ng foreign >> in this respect, i appreciate the united states taking a clear

position on various occasions, including the u.s. china summit with regard to china's connection with u.s. deployment of thad. we agree to work together so that the actions may come to an end at an early age. language]ng foreign >> furthermore, we fully share the view that in responding to and resolving such critical issues, the watertight collaboration of our two countries is of the utmost importance. all future policies and measures would be made with seamless cooperation and cord nation.

>> [speaking foreign language] >> furthermore, as global partners, we also agreed to work together to resolve global issues. >> [speaking foreign language] >> it is meaningful that close cooperation continues to develop since the launch of the new u.s. administration. and another meaningful location for the further development of the u.s. alliance. thank you.

vice president pence: good afternoon. --thank youesident for your kind words and the hospitality you have shown me and my family and welcoming us to the republic of korea. my very first stop. it is my honor and i bring from -- greetings from the president of the united states, donald trump. on his behalf, i express the unwavering support of the long-standing alliance. i areent trump and grateful for your strong partnership with the united states. we commend you, personally, for your steady hand in this time of transition.

we admire the commitment to the rule of law and the democratic process. and we look forward to the upcoming election with great anticipation. 9,h changes coming on may whatever change happens in your elections, the commitment of the united states to south korea's safety and security will remain unchanged. [speaking foreign language]

vice president pence: on behalf of the president of the united states, my message to the people of south korea is this. we are with you 100%. times, weese troubled stand with you for a free and secure future. americaed states of stands shoulder to shoulder with the republic of korea. and the servants and -- service

and vigilance of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines on this frontier of freedom stands as a testimony to the enduring partnership between our people. the alliance between south korea and the united states is the linchpin of peace and security on the korean peninsula, and indeed, throughout the asian pacific. the united states commitment to south korea is ironclad and immutable. and under president trump's leadership, we know our alliance will even be stronger. our nations will be safer. the asia-pacific will be more secure. [speaking foreign language]

vice president pence: nowhere is more evident than confronting the most dangerous threat to peace and security. the regime in north korea. states992, the united and our allies have stood together for a denuclearize korean peninsula. completedis to be through peaceful means. but all options are on the table.

just in the past two weeks, the world witnessed the strength and resolve of our new president. actions taken in syria and afghanistan. north korea would do well not to test his resolve or the strength of the armed forces of the united states in this region. we will continue to deploy the missile defense system as a defensive measure. called for by the alliance and for the alliance. we will continue to evolve a comp rent a set of capabilities to ensure the capabilities of south korea. and as the secretary of defense made clear not long ago, we will defeat any attack and we will meet any use of conventional or nuclear weapons with an overwhelming and effective response. language]ng foreign

vice president pence: strategic patience has been the approach of the last american administration and beyond. decades, the two united states and our allies have worked to peacefully dismantle north korea's nuclear program and alleviate the suffering of the people. of the way, step north korea answered our overtures with willful deception. broken promises. and nuclear and missile tests. conducted toas unlawful nuclear tests in an impressive and did number of ballistic missile tests. the era of strategic patience is over. speaking foreign language]

vice president pence: earlier this month, president trump spoke with you to reaffirm the strength of our alliance. wei reassured you today, will continue to closely consult with south korea and your leadership as we make decisions moving forward. we also call on other regional

powers and the entire international community to join us to confront north korea and demand that it abandon its missile programs and sees hostility toward its neighbor. and to and the oppression of its own people. [speaking foreign language] vice president pence: earlier this month, president trump met with chinese president xi at the

white house. the two leaders noted the urgency of the threat posed by north korea's weapons programs and each of them reaffirmed their commitment to a due new denuclearize north korea. wanted to implement un security council resolutions and increase cooperation to convince north korea to abandon its illicit weapons program. it is heartening to see china commit to these actions. but we are troubled by the retaliation against south korea by taking appropriate steps to defend itself. the better path would be for china to address the north korean threat that is making such defensive measures necessary. while issues like that remain, the president and i have great confidence that china will properly deal with north korea. as president trump made clear a few days ago, if china is unable to deal with north korea, the united eights and our allies

will. states and our allies will. language]ng foreign

vice president pence: so today, it is my privilege on behalf of president trump to reaffirm the united states enduring commitment to the security and prosperity of south korea. and to ensure the people of south korea of our unbreakable bond. we are bound together by our shared values. but also by our shared sacrifice. a free and democratic south korea was forged in the fires of sacrifice by soldiers from both our lands. and my father was one of them. 65 years ago, second lieutenant edward j tents of the 45th infantry division in the united states army fought alongside

brave south korean forces to win the freedom of this land. came home to raise a family, he had friends in uniform from america and korea who went home to eternity. too, the friendship between our two free nations is eternal. we have bled together. we have prospered together. foundation, the people will face the future together. with courage, determination, and faith, we go together. [speaking foreign language] thank you for your great honor. it is great -- for your great hospitality. it's great to be with you today. language]ng foreign

[applause] >> c-span, where history unfolds daily. in 1970 nine, c-span was created as a public service by america's cable television companies. it is brought to you by your cable or satellite provider. tonight on c-span, we hear from two former officials from the obama administration. first a conversation with former white house senior adviser valerie jarrett former -- followed by loretta lynch speaking to students at harvard law school. president trump and the first lady host the annual easter egg role on the white house south lawn. later