Response to Ongoing North Korean Provocations

Australia strongly condemns North Korea's launch of medium-range ballistic missiles on 3 August, in clear breach of relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and an ongoing threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Australia calls on North Korea to cease its provocative behaviour, abandon its nuclear and missile program and engage constructively with the international community. There is a pressing need to improve the welfare of North Korea's impoverished people, rather than diverting resources to building nuclear weapons and missiles.

Earlier this year, following North Korea's fourth nuclear test in January, the international community demonstrated its clear determination to respond firmly to North Korea's actions when the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2270. North Korea's ongoing defiance of the international community must be met by our efforts to implement UNSCR 2270 and all other relevant resolutions.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recently designated an additional four North Korean individuals and one entity associated with North Korea's weapons and missile programs under Australia's autonomous sanctions regime. Australia stands ready to list additional individuals and entities associated with the regime's weapons and missile technology activities.

Australia supports our friends and partners in the region, including the Republic of Korea, Japan and China, in their efforts to increase the costs of these actions for North Korea in order to uphold peace and stability in North Asia.