Australia to Come to US Aid if North Korea Attacks – Prime Minister

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promised Friday his nation would help defend the United States if North Korea hit its territory.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The 1951 Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty compels the three parties to respond to an armed attack on any of them. The manner of action depends on the circumstances, Turnbull added.

"The US has no stronger ally than Australia… If there is an attack on the US by North Korea then the ANZUS treaty will be invoked and Australia will come to the aid of the US," he told 3AW Radio Melbourne.

The minister said he remained confident that increasing diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions backed by Pyongyang’s key ally China would bring North Korea to its senses "in a peaceful manner."

North Korea’s military said Wednesday it was considering a missile attack near the US island of Guam after President Donald Trump threatened Pyongyang with "fire and fury." Guam hosts several US military bases.