Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop says it isn't a primary target of North Korea's, despite its direct threat of "disaster" for imposing political and military pressure on them.
The threats came amid increased tensions between the US and North Korea - but Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop says it "only strengthens our resolve to find a peaceful solution".
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The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a mouthpiece for the North Korean government, said Australia had been making "dangerous moves" by allying with the United States on Sunday (NZ time).
"Lately, Australia is showing dangerous moves of zealously joining the frenzied political and military provocations of the US against the DPRK," the KCNA said.
"The Australian foreign minister personally expressed her support for the US' stand to consider all options including the use of force towards the DPRK, and turned up at Panmunjom on October 11 together with the Australian defence minister to condemn the DPRK during her visit to South Korea.
"Should Australia continue to follow the US in imposing military, economic and diplomatic pressure upon the DPRK despite our repeated warnings, they will not be able to avoid a disaster."
Foreign minister Ms Bishop told reporters on Sunday that while the threats are sincere, Australia is not a primary target - and reminded media it wasn't the first time the country had been threatened by Kim Jong-un.
"North Korea's threats only strengthen our resolve to find a peaceful solution to the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, caused entirely by North Korea's illegal, threatening and provocative behaviour," she said.
"Our focus is on deterring North Korea from continuing to carry out illegal ballistic missile and nuclear weapons' tests and to compel it back to the negotiating table."
Defence Personnel minister Dan Tehan reiterated Ms Bishop's comments, saying Australia "will not be cowed" by North Korea, and "will continue to do everything we can to protect and help and support our allies".
Newshub.
