N. Korea, Malaysia in tit-for-tat exit bans over Kim assassination
NORTH Korea banned Malaysians from leaving the country yesterday, triggering a tit-for-tat response from Kuala Lumpur which said its citizens were effectively being held “hostage” in the row over the assassination of Kim Jong Nam.
The developments marked a dramatic heightening of tensions with Malaysia three weeks after the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was killed at an airport with the banned VX nerve agent.
North Korea decided to “temporarily ban the exit of Malaysian citizens in the DPRK,” the official news agency KCNA said, citing the foreign ministry and using the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The prohibition would remain in place “until the safety of the diplomats and citizens of the DPRK in Malaysia is fully guaranteed through the fair settlement of the case that occurred in Malaysia.”
The Malaysian foreign ministry said 11 of its citizens were currently in North Korea, including three embassy staff, six family members and two others who work for the UN’s World Food Program.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak condemned the ban, and said he was ordering a similar ban on the movement of “all North Korean citizens in Malaysia.” Analysts said they could number around 1,000.
“This abhorrent act, effectively holding our citizens hostage, is in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms,” Najib said.
“As a peace-loving nation, Malaysia is committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries.
“However, protecting our citizens is my first priority, and we will not hesitate to take all measures necessary when they are threatened.”
Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur had unusually strong links for years, but ties have rapidly degenerated in the weeks since two women wiped a deadly chemical on Kim Jong Nam’s face.
An autopsy revealed that to be VX nerve agent, a substance so dangerous it is classed as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN.
North Korea has never confirmed the dead man’s identity, but has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear it.
North Korean ambassador Kang Chol slammed what he called a “pre-targeted investigation by the Malaysian police” on Monday, moments before leaving the country after being expelled.
North Korea retaliated by formally ordering out his counterpart — who had already been recalled for consultations.
KCNA said the foreign ministry expressed hopes that the Malaysian government would solve the issue “as early as possible” from a position of “goodwill.”
Malaysian diplomats and nationals in North Korea “may work and live normally under the same conditions and circumstances as before” while the travel ban is in place, it added.
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