North Korea, Malaysia Impose Travel Bans; Expel Ambassadors

Diplomatic tensions rose between two nations after the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s half-brother.

North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol (second from right) arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia on Monday. (Photo: AP)

Tensions escalated between North Korea and Malaysia after the former placed a temporary ban on Malaysian nationals from leaving the country on Tuesday. The step was taken amid diplomatic disputes over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother Kim Jong Nam at the Kuala Lumpur Airport on 13 February.

North Korea’s foreign ministry notified the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang of the reason for the measure and said it had hoped the case would be swiftly and fairly resolved in order to develop bilateral ties with Malaysia, the North’s KCNA news agency reported.

A few hours later, Malaysia announced that it will not allow North Korean embassy staff to leave the country but officials, later expanded it to include all North Koreans.

Earlier on Monday, North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol was expelled for criticising the investigation of into Nam’s killing saying that Kuala Lumpur was taking “extreme measures” that will do “great harm” to bilateral relations.

Chol also accused Malaysia of conspiring with the enemies of North Korea.

Within an hour, North Korea ordered the expulsion of the Malaysian envoy, who was asked to leave within 48 hours.

(With inputs from Reuters and AP)