'Unpredictable' North Korea could hit Australia with missile within two years: US diplomat

As North Korea continues to threaten a nuclear attack on the US, Australia has been warned that they too could be hit with a missile within two years.

The US Chargé d’Affaires James Caruso, who is based in Canberra, made the dire warning and said that there were now mounting concerns over the rationale of Kim Jong-un.

“[It] is very clear North Korea is a problem,” Mr Caruso told the Australian.

“They’ve gone from using these [weapons] tests to get attention to now really making these tests to do tests. The question has been: what do we want to do about it?”

Mr Caruso said that their leader’s unpredictable nature was enough to make Australia worry.

“It is hard to see any rational approach to what he does, other than true paranoia. If he’s worried about his position, and holding on to his power no matter what the cost is — the world shouldn’t be comfortable.”

The warning comes as President Donald Trump continues to deal with the fallout of his missile strike on Syria and his decision to send a naval fleet to cruise towards the rogue state.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday backed President Trump, saying North Korea was threatening the entire world’s peace.

“The reckless and dangerous conduct of the North Korean regime is threatening peace and stability not just in the region, but the whole world,” Mr Turnbull said.

“We continue to call on China to exercise the undoubted influence it has over the North Korean regime to pull it back from further reckless conduct.”