Malaysia recalls its ambassador to North Korea

- Bernama pic

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has recalled its ambassador to North Korea as Wisma Putra summoned Pyongyang's ambassador to Malaysia following his strong criticism against the Government.

In a strongly worded statement, Wisma Putra said it viewed the baseless allegations levelled by the North Korean Ambassador Kang Chol as a serious attempt to tarnish the country's reputation.

The statement was issued as Kang was still in the Foreign Ministry building here to meet Deputy Secretary-General 1 Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin.

The Foreign Ministry's statement said the Malaysian Government had been transparent regarding the death of Kim Jong-nam, the murdered half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The North Korean Embassy in Malaysia, the statement said, had been kept informed of developments related to the matter as well as the processes involved under Malaysian law.

“For these reasons, the Malaysian Government views the criticism made by the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as baseless.

“The Malaysian Government takes very seriously any unfounded attempt to tarnish its reputation,” the statement said.

The statement said that Wisma Putra summoned Kang on Monday to seek an explanation on the accusations he made against the Government of Malaysia in his press conference on Feb 17.

The statement said that in his press conference, the North Korean Ambassador had insinuated that the Malaysian Government had “something to conceal”.

The Ambassador also alleged that Malaysia was “colluding and playing into the gallery of external forces”.

Kang arrived at Wisma Putra here at 9.54am and was still in the ministry headquarters at 10.55am.

Update: North Korean ambassador leaves Putrajaya following meeting