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Australia has placed more sanctions on North Korean officials as the regime continues to develop its nuclear capabilities. Picture: AP Photo/Wong Maye-E
AUSTRALIA has placed more sanctions on North Korean officials as the regime continues to develop its nuclear capabilities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop placed another five individuals associated with the regime’s missile and weapons of mass destruction programs under travel bans and financial sanctions today.
Three of the officials live in China, one lives in Russia and another lives in Vietnam.
It comes as Malcolm Turnbull urged China to ‘rein in’ North Korea ahead of his biggest defence speech as prime minister.
Tensions between the US and North Korea have been mounting since April. Picture: APSource:AP
“China has the greatest leverage over North Korea and with the greatest leverage comes the greatest responsibility,” Mr Turnbull told Bloomberg.
“We look to Beijing to bring the pressure to bear on the regime in Pyongyang, to bring it to its senses so that it ceases threatening the peace of the region with its reckless conduct,’ he said.
Ahead of his major speech in Singapore today, the prime minister said North Korea was becoming ‘increasingly reckless’.
PM Malcolm Turnbull has urged China to ‘rein in’ North Korea. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
Australia now has sanctions on more than 100 individuals, companies or groups associated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“These designations are part of our autonomous sanctions in response to North Korea’s refusal to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs which are in violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Minister Bishop said in a statement today.
“The Australian Government stands with the international community in condemning North Korea’s persistent testing of ballistic missiles and its pursuit of nuclear weapon capabilities.”
“We will continue to work with our allies and partners, including the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea and China, to uphold global peace and stability.”
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has placed another five North Korean officials under travel bans and financial sanctions. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
It comes as US aircraft carriers and Japanese warships came together for a show of force off the coast of Japan this week after North Korea’s latest ballistic missile test landed there on Monday.
North Korea has test-fired 12 missiles in nine launches so far this year, compared to 10 missile launches over the same period in 2016.
A strategy to tackle the regime’s growing threat will be on the agenda when Ms Bishop and Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne meet with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and US Secretary of Defence in Sydney on Monday.
Tensions between the US and North Korea have been mounting since early April.