Malaysia to reopen embassy in Pyongyang

By Yi Whan-woo

Malaysia is geared toward reopening its embassy in North Korea, after their relations were strained by the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's estranged half-brother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in February 2017.

During his recent visit to Tokyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said his country will reopen the embassy in Pyongyang when asked about pursuing good relations with Kim.

Mahathir's Japan trip came after he was elected as Malaysia's new leader in May.

The assignation of Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of Kim Jong-un, led to the diplomatic row between North Korea and Malaysia.

Malaysia recalled its ambassador, banned its citizens from traveling to North Korea and canceled visa-free entry for North Koreans.

North Korea retaliated with a travel ban on all Malaysians in Pyongyang, trapping three diplomats and their six dependents.

They were only able to leave North Korea after Malaysia agreed to hand over Kim Jong-nam's remains and send home three North Koreans wanted for questioning.

Two women _ Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong _ are on trial in a Malaysian court on charges that they murdered Kim Jong-nam by smearing on his face deadly VX nerve agent provided by North Koreans.

North Korea and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in 1973.