The rogue state turned its sights on Australia, threatening nuclear retaliation after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said North Korea would be subject to further Australian sanctions. But Marles did not believe conflict on the Korean peninsula was particularly likely and backed the approach the US has taken on North Korea. "I do think a harder edge being presented by America in respect of North Korea is not a bad thing," Marles told Sky News on Sunday. "North Korea is pushing really hard to pursue ballistic missiles. Official media in China have also suggested the possibility of suspending exports of hydrocarbons if North Korea conducts a new nuclear test.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 23, 2017 02:15 UTC