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'Australia should build missile defence shield' against North Korea

Australia needs to build a missile defence shield to protect the mainland from a threats like the one from North Korea, a former national security adviser said.

The warning comes as North Korea's army held it's "largest ever" live-fire artillery drills on Tuesday.

Andrew Shearer, a leading defence specialist, who worked for former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard told Fairfax Media that Australia needed to "get much more serious" about amassing missile defence to counter ballistic missile technology that is increasing in range and accuracy.

North Korea has held live artillery tests. Photo: Korean Central News Agency
North Korea has held live artillery tests. Photo: Korean Central News Agency

A system which could protect all of Australia would cost billions, but Mr Shearer, who is based at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies at Washington said North Korea's missile development is accelerating very rapidly.

He said that it has advanced so rapidly over the past few years "it has often taken western analysts by surprise".

Mr Shearer said that Australia therefore had to "get much more serious, potentially quite quickly given the looming North Korea threat, about missile defence for deployed forces".

The North Korean leader was seen saluting during the tests. Photo: Korean Central News Agency
The North Korean leader was seen saluting during the tests. Photo: Korean Central News Agency

The rogue state held tests including hundreds of tanks in the eastern coastal town of Wonsan in a show of military strength to celebrate 85 years since the North Korean army was created.

Leader Kim Jong-Un saluted the military as he watched the exercises, which included the firing of more than 300 large calibre artillery pieces and submarine torpedo-attacks.

South Korea has also conducted joint military live-fire drills with the US at Seungjin fire training field in Pocheon, near the border with North Korea.

Photos of the live artillery tests were released by North Korean authorities. Photo: Korean Central News Agency
Photos of the live artillery tests were released by North Korean authorities. Photo: Korean Central News Agency
Hundreds of weapons were fired across the sea at Wonsan, North Korea during a military demonstration. Photo: KRT via AP Video
Hundreds of weapons were fired across the sea at Wonsan, North Korea during a military demonstration. Photo: KRT via AP Video

South Korea has also announced that key parts of a contentious US missile defence system have been installed.

The nation has also trumpeted the progress of the technology, called Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD), designed to shoot down a North Korean ballistic missile.

A US guided-missile submarine has also docked in South Korea and the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is also headed toward the peninsula for a joint military exercise.

In an unusual move, Donald Trump has summoned all US Senators to the White House to be briefed about escalating tensions with the rogue state.

South Korea and the US held joint military exercises near the boarder with North Korea. Photo: Kyoda
South Korea and the US held joint military exercises near the boarder with North Korea. Photo: Kyoda

In a statement released after the meeting, the administration said its strategy on North Korea aims to pressure Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs by tightening sanctions and Washington is open to negotiations.

"The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal. However, we remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies," it said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The statement was issued by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

Tanks take part in joint US and South Korean military exercises. Photo: Kyodo
Tanks take part in joint US and South Korean military exercises. Photo: Kyodo
The US and South Korea have held joint military tests in response to the huge North Korean drills. Photo: Kyodo
The US and South Korea have held joint military tests in response to the huge North Korean drills. Photo: Kyodo

Meanwhile, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop has reaffirmed her support for the joint military exercises between the US and South Korea.

Ms Bishop says they have to protect themselves against any attack from North Korea.

North Korean ally China is opposed to the installation of THAAD.

Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang has threatened to retaliate if the US does not remove THAAD.

"China strongly urgest the United States and South Korea to stop actions that worsen regional tensions and harm China’s strategic security interests and cancel the deployment of the THAAD system and withdraw the equipment,” Mr Shuang said.

“Cancel the deployment of THAAD. Otherwise China will decisively take necessary measures.”

Newsbreak – April 27