Malaysia orders North Korea to close embassy within 48 hours

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –

Government Malaysia ordered that North Korea closing their embassies in the country in the aftermath of a diplomatic row between the two countries.

According to a press statement from the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, Friday (19/3), they have given 48 hours starting today so that all North Korean diplomats will immediately leave.

Malaysia will also close its embassy in Pyongyang, which has been out of operation since 2017.

The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a press release broadcast via the KCNA news agency said the decision was taken after the Malaysian court granted the extradition request for a North Korean citizen to the United States.

The Malaysian government says it regrets North Korea’s decision to cut diplomatic ties. They said the decision made North Korea hostile and difficult to work with.

“Malaysia has always considered North Korea as a friend since establishing diplomatic relations in 1973. Malaysia has always supported North Korea in difficult times,” said a statement by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

“Malaysia has also always tried to strengthen diplomatic relations, even after the murder of Kim Jong-nam in 2017. North Korea’s decision disturbs regional peace, stability and prosperity,” the statement continued.

On March 3, a North Korean man named Mun Chol-myong was accused of money laundering in Malaysia. According to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mun led a criminal group that broke the rules by supplying illegal goods to North Korea and laundering money through the company.

He faces four counts of money laundering and two money laundering conspiracies. It was not clear what Mun was accused of.

However, there are cases of businesses in Singapore shipping luxury goods, such as liquor and watches, to North Korea.

Malaysia said their decision to extradite Mun to US law enforcement was a form of cooperation in law enforcement.

“Malaysia guaranteed Mun to get all his rights when he was detained and underwent legal proceedings. The extradition was carried out after a very long and tiring legal process,” the statement said.

(ayp/ayp)

[Gambas:Video CNN]

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