Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Wong slams North Korean missile test

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch over Japan. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has condemned North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile over Japan as a "reckless and unacceptable act" that threatens the security of Australia's neighbours and partners.

The test missile was the first to overfly Japan since 2017.

The Japanese government warned citizens to take cover on Tuesday as the missile appeared to have flown over and past its territory before falling into the Pacific Ocean.

Senator Wong said that Pyongyang continued to show blatant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting its ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.

"The test was a reckless and unacceptable act that threatens the security of our neighbours and partners and undermines the stability of the Indo-Pacific," she said in a statement on Tuesday night.

"We continue to be gravely concerned by North Korea's apparent readiness to undertake a seventh nuclear weapons test."

Senator Wong said the Australian government urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and resume dialogue with the United States and South Korea.

with Reuters

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.