NORTH KOREA deputy ambassador,Kim In Ryong had stated on Monday that his country is ready for "any mode of war" started by the US military action. He said that North Korea would respond to a missile or nuclear strike 'in kind'. This followed warnings from US Vice President Mike Pence to Pyongyang not to test US resolve following another missile test. Kim went on, "If the United States dare opt for a military action (...) the DPRK is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the Americans",Kim told a news conference. "We will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs",Kim stated. Pence however,told a news conference in South Korea that "the era of strategic patience is over" after North Korea on Sunday test-fired another missile as fears mounted that it may be preparing a sixth nuclear test. Pyongyang is said to be seeking to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead,and has so far staged tested five nuclear tests.