Australia must retain sanctions on North Korea, Turnbull says

Australia must continue to rigorously enforce sanctions on North Korea ahead of what could be a historic summit with the US, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says.

Turnbull says there have been “many false dawns before” when it comes to the rogue nation so it is critical to maintain economic pressure.

“I emphasise those sanctions must remain in full force, rigorously enforced, until such time as the regime does start to denuclearise,” he said in McLaren Vale, South Australia on Saturday.

“It has got to make a commitment and demonstrate its commitment by actions to remove its illegal, dangerous and reckless nuclear capability and threat.”

Turnbull said the sanctions, along with a strong stand by the US president Donald Trump, had bought the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, to the table.

Labor’s defence spokesman, Richard Marles, agreed that existing sanctions had bitten North Korea.

“To that end, it’s really critical the campaign of maximum pressure through sanctions is maintained and there’s no letting up on that,” he said.

“If anything is going to change North Korean behaviour, it is that.”

South Korea’s National Security Office head, Chung Eui-yong, had told reporters at the White House on Thursday that Kim had committed to denuclearisation and to suspending nuclear or missile tests.

The White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump “will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong-un at a place and time to be determined”.

Source: theguardian