(VOVworld) - Malaysia will maintain diplomatic ties with North Korea and will not close its embassy in Pyongyang, said Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, adding that Malaysia hopes North Korea will do likewise. The announcement came amid rising tensions between the two countries following the killing of a North Korean citizen named Kim Chol at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb 13, and a refusal to allow 9 Malaysian nationals to return home. Diplomatic tensions eased somewhat when those Malaysian citizens arrived home safely. Mr. Zahid said the issue was resolved through understanding on the part of both countries.
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| The North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur (Source: EPA/VNA) |
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid, who is also Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs, said the Malaysian government will allow North Korean citizens living in Malaysia to return home, but any who remain must comply with all regulations of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.