The New Zealand Navy still plans to go ahead with a frigate visit to South Korea despite continuing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
HMNZS Te Mana is in Vietnam and is due to visit the South Korean port of Inchon in mid-May.
Commander Shane Arndell said Defence Force officials are watching the situation closely.
He said the visit to South Korea is a diplomatic one and the frigate will not take part in any military exercises.
Since March, North Korea has threatened to attack South Korea, the United States and Japan since fresh United Nations sanctions were imposed in response to its third nuclear arms test in February and joint military exercises held by America and the South off the Korean peninsular.
Te Mana is making diplomatic visits to several countries in the region before returning to New Zealand in June.
