A diplomatic row has erupted between Australia and North Korea. The Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says Australia has concerns about possible links between the North Korean Government and a boat recently seized off Australia's coast, carrying a massive amount of heroin. The Foreign Affairs department called in the North Korean ambassador this morning. A spokesman for Mr Downer says Australia has registered strong concern and dismay over the ship - the Pong Su. Mr Downer will not go into detail, but notes that all assets including the ship are owned by the North Korean government. "We understand there was a member of the Korean Worker's Party on board the ship, one of the senior officials from the Korean Workers Party was on the ship. We are very concerned that there could be any associatorion between North Korea and drug-trafficking in order to raise money," Mr Downer said.
Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd says if the evidence is strong enough, Australia should act. "My position is that the North Korean ambassador should be expelled," he said.
| If you do that, though, they'll probably consider it an act of war and destroy Australia in a sea of fire... |
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