CANBERRA- Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr on Saturday condemned the latest round of threats by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against South Korea and the Asia-Pacific region, although he admitted the Australian Embassy in Seoul found no immediate evidence of increased military preparations by the DPRK.

Carr said in a statement that the latest moves are evidence that the DPRK "placed militarism ahead of the needs of its people. "

"I welcome calls by China and Russia for restraint by all parties and commitments by the United States regarding the defence of South Korea and Japan," Carr said.

He said that the DPRK continued to pose a genuine threat to the safety of millions of people in our region.

"United Nations sanctions impose strict embargoes on the supply of weapons and nuclear materials to North Korea (DPRK). Australia is considering further autonomous sanction on North Korea and has urged all nations to ensure strict enforcement of existing measures."