***North Korea's ambassador blamed the tests on his nation feeling threatened by the US***

AUSTRALIA has cancelled a planned diplomatic visit to North Korea in the wake of this morning's test firing of six missiles.

Travel to Australia by North Korean officials will also be further restricted as Australia joins international action against the rogue state.

North Korea is believed to have fired six missiles overnight – five short-range missiles and one longer range missile.

The Government condemned the tests and had spoken to North Korea's ambassador in Australia, Chon Jae Hong, to register its displeasure, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

"I told the North Korean ambassador that we condemn the testing of missiles, that it did very much heighten concerns about security in North Asia," Mr Downer said.






"It's our view that the United States should take the matter to the United Nations Security Council, it is a challenge to international peace and security."

Mr Downer said North Korea's ambassador blamed the tests on his nation feeling threatened by the US.

"The fact is, as I explained to him, the United States is not the issue here," Mr Downer said.

"North Korea is a very real threat to international peace and security and we think this is a matter that should be brought to the United Nations Security Council.

"The Chinese should certainly do everything they can to stop the North Koreans conducting further missile tests – and we think they probably do plan to launch more missiles in the next day or so."

Mr Downer called on North Korea to refrain from any more provocative actions and to return to the six-party talks involving South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States immediately and unconditionally.

"In response to (North Korea's) provocative act Australia will give full support to robust international action, including at the United Nations," Mr Downer said in a statement.

"We will also further restrict travel to Australia by (North Korean) officials and cancel a planned visit to North Korea by a senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officer.

"We will also send a delegation to Washington and regional capitals to discuss appropriate mechanisms through which to co-ordinate an international response."
[link to www.heraldsun.news.com.au]