New Zealand is deploying a maritime patrol aircraft to Japan to assist with efforts to enforce United Nations sanctions against North Korea, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has announced.
A P-3K2 aircraft will carry out patrols in North Asia for signs of vessels undertaking activities that break UN sanctions against North Korea, Mr Peters and Defence Minister Ron Mark said in a statement.
"We welcome the recent dialogue North Korea has had with the United States and South Korea. 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," Mr Peters said.
The aircraft would be based at Kadena Air Base in Japan.
Relations have cooled since the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un in June.
Last week, a planned visit by the top US diplomat to North Korea was scrapped because Trump said insufficient progress toward denuclearisation had been made.
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.
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