Fed: North Korean diplomats won't be asked to leave

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Fed: North Korean diplomats won't be asked to leave

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says the federal government will not ask North Korean diplomatsto leave Australia due to the country's nuclear program.

But Mr HOWARD's told reporters it's clearly not appropriate to open an embassy in theNorth Korean capital, Pyongyang.

The federal government's shelved plans to open a diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, asNorth Korea this week revealed it's reactivated a power plant which could produce materialsfor nuclear weapons.

Mr HOWARD says although an embassy won't be opened in North Korea, every diplomaticeffort must be taken to ensure North Korea complies with nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

AAP RTV klw/rk/rp

KEYWORD: KOREA AUST HOWARD (SYDNEY)