Counsellor snubs reporters at embassy

KUALA LUMPUR: North Korean counsellor Kim Yu-song continued to give the press the silent treatment as he left and returned to the embassy twice yesterday, and in a different vehicle each time.

He left the embassy grounds in a Toyota Alphard driven by his translator at 11.03am. They returned in the same vehicle approximately an hour later.

Yu-song dodged the media gathered outside as he picked up a rolled-up copy of The Star from the gate, and walked into the embassy building at 12.18pm.

He left the embassy again at 2.02pm. He returned to the embassy at about 4.10pm and continued ignoring journalists gathered in front of the gates.

Another car left the embassy at 12.06pm, causing a brief ruckus when the driver reversed into equipment belonging to the media.

The equipment was not damaged and the vehicle promptly took off.

Policemen, some armed, were stationed outside the embassy.

However, no attempts were made to block vehicles from leaving or entering the building.

Authorities believe that Hyong Kwang-song, the 44-year-old second secretary at the North Korean embassy, and Kim Uk-il, 37, an Air Koryo staff member, are still in the country.

A warrant of arrest was issued for Uk-il last week and a letter requesting Hyong's cooperation was sent through Wisma Putra and delivered to the embassy.