Statement on North Korean missile launches

  • Statement

The Australian Government condemns North Korea’s repeated missile launches since May 2019. Short-range ballistic missile launches are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Australia calls on North Korea to cease provocative actions that increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider region. Such provocations do nothing for regional peace and stability, and increase the risk of miscalculation.

Australia once more calls on North Korea to choose the path of dialogue. We commend the commitment demonstrated by the United States and the Republic of Korea to continue talks with North Korea.

Australia joins with many other nations in seeking permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, including the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea. 

In the meantime, we remain committed to maintaining sanctions and other measures until North Korea takes clear steps towards denuclearisation. 

The Australian Government calls on all countries to assist in maintaining sanctions, including by fully implementing UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea.

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