Gillard backs South Korea in phone hook-up

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has expressed solidarity with South Korea in a phone hook-up with President Park Geun-hye.

In the face of nuclear threats from North Korea, Ms Gillard spoke to Ms Park on Thursday, expressing Australia's concerns over the serious risk to regional security posed by the rogue state's posturing.

She emphasised the importance Australia placed on South Korea's security and promised to continue pressuring North Korea to put an end to its stance, and to engage in dialogue with its southern neighbour.

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr has said he will make a personal appeal for China to persuade North Korea to "ratchet down" its behaviour.

The leaders' phone hook-up came as the US moved to protect military bases on Guam, an island about 3380km southeast of North Korea and home to 6000 American military personnel, submarines and bombers.

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