Malaysia-North Korea: A Diplomatic Row Brewing?

Prashanth Parameswaran

01-Mar-17 08:35

Malaysia-North Korea: A Diplomatic Row Brewing?

The recent high-profile murder of a North Korean citizen in KLIA has strained the diplomatic relationship between North Korea and Malaysia. The victim is believed to be Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un.

Last week, North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol, said Malaysian investigators are conspiring with "hostile forces" and accused Malaysia of being in cahoots with Pyongyang’s enemies. In response, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak described the statement as "diplomatically rude" and recalled Putrajaya's ambassador to Pyongyang.

BFM speaks to Prashanth Parameswaran, Associate Editor at The Diplomat, to explore the the implications of the incident on diplomatic ties between the two countries.

This is a report by Wan Irdina

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Categories:

Tags: North Korea, Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong Un

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