Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says the Federal Government is still deciding whether an Australian Navy ship will be offered to help enforce sanctions against North Korea for its apparent nuclear test. "In the meantime, we'll also be considering a full ban as the Japanese have done on North Korean vessels visiting Australian ports," Mr Downer said.
| God love the Aussies, they always step up. |
The UN Security Council has imposed a range of sanctions, including the inspection of cargo going in and out of the country and a ban on military hardware sales.
Mr Downer says United Nations (UN) Security Council sanctions against North Korea are surprisingly tough. "It's a very robust Security Council resolution, we warmly welcome this resolution.
"It will put enormous pressure on the North Koreans, we'll obviously fully implement our obligations under the resolution and do what we can to help make sure more broadly the resolution is implemented."
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd says the sanctions are robust and a good step forward. "The key challenge now is to make sure that these sanctions work," he said.
South Korea
Meanwhile, South Korea says it supports the UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea for its apparent nuclear test. "The government supports the resolution and will take appropriate measures in line with the resolution," Foreign Ministry spokesman Choo Kyu-Go told Yonhap news agency.
South Korea has said its engagement policy with the North is under threat following Pyongyang's October 9 announcement that it had conducted a nuclear test, but has given no details. |