The chief of the Australian Navy on Thursday pledged consistent support for enforcement of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea although Russia’s veto undercut the U.N. sanctions regime.
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond said the Australian military will continue activities to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods to North Korea.
Since 2018, Australia has deployed maritime patrol aircraft on 13 occasions and Royal Australian Navy vessels 10 times to support the UNSC sanctions.
“We have been supporting the United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly with maritime assets … We continue to support that activity. I don’t think that will change,” Hammond said during the interview at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.
Last month, Russia vetoed the renewal of a U.N. Security Council panel of experts monitoring North Korea’s compliance with international sanctions, undermining international efforts aim
ed at blocking Pyongyang’s illicit weapons development. The panel is set to expire on April 30.
From a broader perspective, Hammond underlined the importance of security cooperation among like-minded countries to address rising security threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I think it’s really important that nations like ours work together to advance the message of acceptance of an adherence to the international rules and norms,” he said. “From a strategic perspective, I would argue that it’s vital.”
Hammond was in Seoul as part of his Asia trip, which includes stops in Indonesia and China. He engaged in talks with top naval officials during the Western Pacific Naval Symposium held in the Chinese port city of Qingdao earlier this week.
Although Hammond advocated bolstering military cooperation with South Korea, he was cautious of further advancing the partnership by expanding the membership of AUKUS, a security partnership between Australia, Britain and the U.S.
Launched in September 2021 in an apparent m
ove to counter China’s regional influence, AUKUS consists of two key pillars. Pillar I is to support Australia in acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines while Pillar II is for cooperation on military technology, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to advance the capabilities of participating nations to advance the interests of security and peace in our region … Membership of the AUKUS program is ultimately a political decision,” he said.
While the AUKUS submarine program is a deal among the three countries, Hammond expressed hope for forging partnership in the shipbuilding industry under Australia’s plan to bolster naval force.
Australia has announced plans to invest $7.2 billion over the next 10 years to acquire 11 new frigates and six new large optionally crewed surface vessels.
Hammond said he is “pleased” by South Korea’s participation in Australia’s upcoming bid for the frigate procurement program given
its advanced shipbuilding technology.
“If the ROK (Republic of Korea) Navy wasn’t such a competent, capable, respected and professional Navy, then the shipbuilder who provides those warships wouldn’t be in the mix,” he said. “So I think that’s a real credit to Korean shipbuilding. They have a very strong reputation.”
Earlier in the day, the top Australian naval official participated in the commemorative event of Anzac Day, a national day that honors all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in major conflicts in the nations’ history.
Over 17,000 Australians served during the 1950-53 Korean War, which left 340 killed and over 1,000 wounded.
“It is a poignant reminder for both our nations of the cost of war, the deep partnership that we have between Korea and Australia and New Zealand and those enduring aspects of friendship,” Hammond said.
Source: Yonhap News Agency