CANBERRA, Australia, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Australia has called for support of U.N. sanctions against North Korea in the wake of Pyongyang's nuclear test.
The Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told North Korean Ambassador Chon Jae Hong at Parliament House that the nuclear test has led to a deterioration of security and the condemnation of the entire world.
Speaking on a radio program of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Downer said, "I told the ambassador that we would support United Nations Security Council sanctions and that we are urging our friends and allies at the U.N. to pass a resolution imposing sanctions under Chapter Seven."
Downer said Australia would not be expelling Chon as there was a "marginal advantage" in maintaining diplomatic channels. He said he had made it clear to Chon that Australia had grave concerns that while North Korea depends on food aid to live, the country spends billions of dollars on building weapons.
Downer said that Chon defended the nuclear test in the context of North Korea's security.
