New Zealand will deploy its Air Force against North Korea in an effort to combat sanctions breaches by the regime.
On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Ron Mark announced the Government will send a P-3K2 maritime patrol aircraft to take part in maritime surveillance.
The aircraft will be based out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, and operate above international waters in North Asia.
Mr Mark says it will "counter North Korea's maritime activities that contravene UNSC resolutions, in particular its use of ship-to-ship transfers".
The US has been pressuring North Korea via sanctions to give up its nuclear weapons program. Senior US officials said in February the Trump administration and key Asian allies were preparing to expand interceptions of ships suspected of violating the sanctions on North Korea.
The strategy called for closer tracking of ships suspected of carrying banned weapons components and other prohibited cargo to and from North Korea.
In August the US penalised two Russian shipping companies and six vessels it said were involved in the transfer of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels in violation of UN restrictions.
"New Zealand is firmly committed to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula. We welcome the recent dialogue North Korea has had with the United States and South Korea," Mr Peters announced.
"However, until such time as North Korea abides by its international obligations, full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Sanctions resolutions will be essential."
Newshub.
