11 Malaysians currently trapped in North Korea: Foreign ministry

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia's Foreign Ministry has swung into action to secure the release of all Malaysians who are currently in North Korea.

A Foreign Ministry source confirmed that there are currently 11 Malaysians in North Korea. Nine are at the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang, while the remaining two are part of the World Food Programme.

“We are working to get the Malaysians to get out of North Korea. We cannot divulge too much information at the moment,” said the source.

The source said the Foreign Ministry was in the midst of reaching out to the family members of Malaysians currently in Pyongyang.

“We are also trying to get their details,” said the source.

Earlier on Tuesday (March 7), North Korean media reports stated that all Malaysians currently in North Korea have been barred from leaving the country.

The move, seen by many as effectively holding the Malaysians hostage, comes amid an increasingly heated diplomatic row over the killing of Kim Jong-Nam in Kuala Lumpur.

Pyongyang said the Malaysians would be barred from leaving until the “the incident that happened in Malaysia is properly solved," according to a news report.

In a statement on Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak described Pyongyang's act as "abhorrent" and "in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms". 

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms North Korea's decision to prevent Malaysian citizens from leaving the country," Mr 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."

Mr Najib says he has summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. "I have also instructed the Inspector General of Police to prevent all North Korean citizens in Malaysia from leaving the country until we are assured of the safety and security of all Malaysians in North Korea," he added.

"Our hope is for a swift resolution. I call upon the North Korean leadership to immediately allow our citizens to leave to avoid any further escalation." NEW STRAITS TIMES