Australia, New Zealand deploy planes to enforce UN sanctions

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Australia and New Zealand said Friday they are sending three maritime patrol planes to Japan as part of the effort to enforce U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said his country would deploy two Orion aircraft to put economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea.

“Australia continues to work with partners to enforce sanctions to pressure North Korea to take concrete and verifiable steps to denuclearize,” Pyne said in a statement. “A stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific remains Australia’s priority.”

New Zealand will deploy one Orion plane.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement he welcomed the recent dialogue North Korea has had with the U.S. and South Korea, but said that until North Korea abides by its international obligations, it was essential to fully implement U.N. Security Council sanctions.