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Vice President Mike Pence wants U.S. allies to "do more" when it comes to threats posed by North Korea.

"The president has been very clear, whether it's our allies in Europe or South Korea, or Japan, or other countries, that we expect countries around the world to do more, whether it's this missile defense system, or other systems," Pence said. The vice president recently returned from a trip to the region, which included a visit to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

Pence was asked Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" about reports that national security adviser H.R. McMaster is reassuring ally South Korea that the U.S. will pay for a proposed missile defense system for that country.

The program's host, Chuck Todd, said "President Trump said South Korea would pay for the system. How do you square this?"

Pence came back by defining what U.S. policy is for the region, and the need for allies in the region, and elsewhere, to be equal partners with the United States in dealing with threats. He reassured South Korea that they should know that "America will be there to defend them, even as they defend themselves."

McMaster later said a report from Reuters mischaracterized his comments about the U.S.-South Korea deal on missile defense. During an interview on "Fox News Sunday," he said the U.S. is looking to renegotiate with South Korea, but will honor the current deal in the meantime.

Todd said in response to Pence, "at minimum, we're not going to argue over the bill now, is what you're saying."

Pence came back saying the administration has been "very clear" that America's prosperous allies must "do more in their own defense."

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Mike Pence: South Korea must 'do more' to secure itself from regional threats - Washington Examiner