Australia deploys warship in sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea

Australia has deployed one of its most capable warships on a mission targeting North Korea.

Australia has deployed a warship on a sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea.

HMAS Sydney will patrol areas where the hermit state is suspected of illegal trading in violation of UN sanctions aimed at stopping it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Australia has deployed a warship on a sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea. Picture: Australian Defence Force

“Operation Argos supports the international community’s goal of the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea,” Vice Admiral Justin Jones said in a statement.

“Australia also deploys maritime patrol aircraft to enforce Operation Argos, with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon having deployed to Japan in April.

“Enforcing UNSC sanctions against North Korea is consistent with Australia’s commitment to a rules-based global order.”

It is the second time the HMAS Sydney – a Hobart-class guided missile destroyer – has taken part in Operation Argos, having supported sanctions enforcement efforts in September 2024 also.

North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un regularly orders the intercontinental ballistic missile tests. Picture: KCNA via KNS / AFP

North Korea regularly tests intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are the primary delivery system for nuclear warheads.

It has also sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to aid the Kremlin’s war efforts in Ukraine.

North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong-un has said involving his country, which perpetually faces severe food shortages, was “just” and “falls within the sovereign rights of our republic”.

Although, the US State Department said North Korea’s participation in the conflict violated sanctions.

Closer to home, North Korea has faced accusations of flooding the Indo-Pacific with illicit drugs and counterfeit cash as well as trafficking animals and humans.

Originally published as Australia deploys warship in sanctions enforcement mission against North Korea