Australian frigate joins North Korea sanctions enforcement mission

The Australian government is sending Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta to the Korean Peninsula where it will support an operation to enforce UN Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea.

HMAS Parramatta’s sanctions enforcement mission will be part of a broader East Asian deployment.

The frigate is currently on an East Asia tour with frigate HMAS Stuart and destroyer HMAS Hobart.

Parramatta is the third Australian vessel to deploy to the region as part of the country’s commitment to regional security and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The crew will work alongside international partners to monitor and deter ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.

The deployment follows that of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft to Japan in May and September this year, to undertake maritime surveillance.

This is the second year Australia is contributing to international efforts to deter and disrupt illicit trade and sanction-evasion activities by North Korea and its associated networks.