Malaysia expels N Korean envoy for police ‘insults’

Malaysia expelled the North Korean ambassador on Saturday, giving him 48 hours to leave the country, as relations between the two countries deteriorated further in the wake of the murder of Kim Jong Nam.

The ambassador, Kang Chol, angered Malaysian authorities by disparaging the police investigation into Kim’s death. Pyongyang’s envoy accused Malaysia last month of “colluding with hostile forces” against North Korea.

Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport last month after two women smeared liquid on his face. Police say traces of the deadly nerve agent VX were found on his face and eyes.

Anifah Haji Aman, Malaysian foreign minister, said in a statement on Saturday that Malaysia had demanded a written apology from North Korea for the ambassador’s criticisms, but had not received one.

Mr Anifah said: “It should be made clear — Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its reputation.”

Kuala Lumpur announced on Thursday that it would scrap visa-free entry for North Koreans. The Malaysian government, which recalled its own ambassador from Pyongyang last month, is conducting a review of relations with North Korea.

The foreign minister said the ending of visa-free travel was an indication of the government’s concern that Malaysia may have been used for illegal activities.

Two women — Siti Aishah, 25, an Indonesian, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, a Vietnamese national — appeared in court on Wednesday charged with Kim’s murder. They face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

Pyongyang is widely believed to have instigated the assassination. Malaysian police are seeking to question at least six North Korean suspects, including a diplomat at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Until now, relations between Malaysia and North Korea have been cordial, with modest trade ties. Malaysia exports refined oil, natural rubber and palm oil to North Korea, and imports electrical and electronic products and chemicals.

The murder also appears to have damaged Pyongyang’s relations with Beijing, with analysts suggesting that it spurred a Chinese move to ban coal imports from North Korea until the end of the year.