IANS | 17 May, 2024
Australia on Friday imposed financial sanctions on six entities linked to North Korea’s supply of weapons to Russia.
Australian
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the continued transfer of weapons from
North Korea to Russia was a "flagrant violation" of United Nations
Security Council resolutions.
"Australia condemns, in the
strongest possible terms, North Korea’s illegal export and Russia’s
procurement and use of North Korean ballistic missiles, in support of
Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine," she said in a statement.
"The
use of North Korean ballistic missiles by Russia increases the
suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia's illegal and immoral
war of aggression and undermines the global non-proliferation regime."
Wong
said deepening cooperation between North Korea and Russia had "grave
security implications" for Europe, the Korean Peninsula and the
Indo-Pacific region.
"Together with our partners, we call on North
Korea to engage in constructive dialogue and move toward permanent
peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Wong said.
"Australia
remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine to defend itself. Today’s
announcement underscores that those who provide material support to
Russia’s illegal and immoral war will face consequences."
Tensions
in the Asia-Pacific region are high. Since the beginning of 2022, North
Korea has significantly increased the scope of its weapons tests,
including the testing of nuclear-capable missiles, and has stepped up
its rhetoric against the US and its allies.