Australian and Canadian military aircraft will soon head to a US base in Japan to monitor "illicit" ship-to-ship transfers involving North Korean vessels.

It is understood the United States will play a leading role in coordinating the operations out of its Kadena Air Base.

The UN has accused Pyongyang of trying to get around Security Council sanctions that were imposed against the rogue state for its nuclear and weapons programs.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was vital those UN sanctions were enforced against North Korea.

"We do have a P8-A surveillance aircraft that is going to be working in the region to monitor compliance with sanctions and that is part of our collaboration with our partners in that exercise to enforce those UN sanctions," he said.

"It's very important that that be done."

Multiple non-Japanese militaries rarely operate together from Japan.

The move comes a day after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met for a historic summit, announcing they would seek an agreement to establish "permanent" and "solid" peace on the peninsula.

The declaration included promises to pursue military arms reduction, cease "hostile acts," turn their fortified border into a "peace zone," and seek multilateral talks with other countries such as the United States.

US President Donald Trump is also set to meet with the North Korean leader, likely discussing denuclearisation in return for sanctions relief and economic and energy assistance.