Malaysia expels North Korean ambassador after Kim Jong Nam murder

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia expelled the North Korean ambassador to the country on Saturday (March 4), declaring him "persona non grata" and asking the envoy to leave Malaysia within 48 hours.

The move comes nearly three weeks after Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered at Kuala Lumpur's airport with a toxic nerve agent.

United States and South Korean officials have said he was killed by agents of the North Korean regime. 

Mr Kang Chol, North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, said last month his country "cannot trust" Malaysia's handling of the probe, and also accused the country of "colluding with outside forces" in a veiled reference to bitter rival South Korea.

Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Haji Aman said in a statement on Saturday that Malaysian officials had met with a high-level delegation from North Korea on Feb 28 during which Putrajaya had demanded an apology from Pyongyang for the accusations made by Mr Kang. 

“The DPRK delegation was informed that if no response is received by 10.00 p.m. that day, the Malaysian government would take measures that would best protect its interests,” Mr Anifah said, using an acronym of North Korea’s official name. 

“Almost four days have passed since the deadline lapsed.  No such apology has been made, neither has there been any indication that one is forthcoming.  For this reason, the Ambassador has been declared Persona Non Grata.”

He added that recent events, including the release of North Korean national Ri Jong Chol from police custody for the lack of evidence to charge him, is proof that the investigation is conducted in an impartial, fair and transparent manner.

The expulsion of the ambassador comes at the heels of the decision of the Malaysian government that effective on March 6, North Korean citizens require visas to enter Malaysia. 

“This is an indication of the government’s concern that Malaysia may have been used for illegal activities,” Mr Anifah said.

“These measures are part of the process by the Malaysian government to review its relations with the DPRK.”

Persona Non Grata means "Person Not Appreciated”.  A person declared as such by the receiving State is barred from entering or remaining in the country. It is the most serious form of disapproval that the country can apply to foreign diplomats. 

Earlier on Saturday, Mr Ri said that he was a victim of a conspiracy by Malaysian authorities attempting to damage the honour of North Korea.

Speaking to reporters outside the North Korea embassy in Beijing on Saturday, he accused Malaysia of using coercion to try to extract a confession from him.

Mr Ri said he was not at the airport on the day of the killing, and knew nothing about the accusation that his car was used in the case.  He added that he was presented with false evidence in Malaysia, and police showed him pictures of his family in detention.

"I realised that this is a conspiracy, plot, to try to damage the status and honour of the republic," Mr Ri said.

Mr Ri was in Beijing en route back to North Korea after Malaysia deported him.

Police in Malaysia have identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with Kim’s killing, including a senior embassy official and a member of staff at the North Korean airline Air Koryo. Four of them are known to have left Malaysia.

An arrest warrant was issued on Friday for the 37-year old airline worker, Kim Uk Il. Malaysia has stepped up checks at all border crossings for North Koreans linked to the case, police have said. AGENCIES