Morrison backs Trump on NKorea issue

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will continue to back US President Donald Trump in his efforts to tackle the North Korea crisis, after the rogue state fired several short-range missiles for the first time since 2017.

South Korea viewed the rocket fire as an attempt to pressure the US after its failed nuclear summit with the North.

Mr Morrison said the US president had admitted dealing with North Korea would be difficult and there would be setbacks.

"I think he has shown a real commitment and a real patience and I would only continue to encourage him to take the steps he is taking to ensure that he brings stability to that part of the world," Mr Morrison told reporters on his election campaign trail in Brisbane on Saturday.

"But it's going to have its setbacks, and it clearly has. But I think it's a reminder of just the unstable world that we live in today."