Photo taken on April 11, 2017 shows military vehicles during the U.S.-South Korea joint Exercise Operation Pacific Reach in Pohang, South Korea. (Xinhua/Lee Sang-ho)

MOSCOW, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Russia hopes the United States will not use force unilaterally against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in South Korea that "the era of strategic patience is over" with the DPRK.

"If the figure of speech is interpreted as a threat to use force unilaterally, then it is a very risky way," Lavrov told a press conference.

"I hope very much that there will be no unilateral actions similar to those we have recently seen in Syria and the United States will follow the line repeatedly voiced by President (Donald) Trump during his election campaign," he added.

The DPRK attempted early Sunday to test fire an unidentified missile on its east coast, which was believed to have failed. It was the latest of a string of missile launches and nuclear tests that have incurred worldwide criticism and tighter UN sanctions.

"We do not accept Pyongyang's adventurous actions with nuclear missiles in violation of numerous UN Security Council resolutions. But this, in no way, means that it is possible to violate international law in the same manner using force contrary to the UN Charter," Lavrov said.