Bold statements made by our Foreign Minister over North Korea have one expert worried.

Winston Peters wants more sanctions imposed on North Korea to push them towards denuclearisation.

He will be attending a summit today in Vancouver attended by ministers from 21 other countries.

It aims to find a solution to Kim Jong-un's nuclear ambitions.

Director of Otago University's National Centre of Peace and Conflict Studies, Professor Kevin Clements told Chris Lynch Peters' comments aren't helpful.

"If you're looking for a negotiated solution, this is not the way to go about it. Winston Peters is going for sanctions and pressure, and then dialogue second hoping to flow out of that."

Peters, however, is hopeful the talks will play out.

"Every effort should be made now as this crisis escalates to turn the current events around. I think it's possible, we're got to be positive about it."

Peters said the international community's willing to help North Korea if it abandons its nuclear ambitions.

LISTEN TO KEVIN CLEMENTS TALK WITH CHRIS LYNCH ABOVE