The DPRK embassy in Kuala Lumpur (Source: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) - MalaysianPrime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on June 26 expressed readiness to normaliseties with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which soured followingthe assassination of a DPRK citizen last year.
In an interview granted to KyodoNews, Mahathir, who won the general election on May 9, said Malaysia wants toreestablish diplomatic relations with the DPRK.
When asked if his government willreinstate a visa-free travel arrangement with the DPRK, Mahathir said,"yes."
Malaysia and the DPRK onceenjoyed a cozy relationship prior to the murder of Kim Chol in broad daylightat Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13, 2017.
The US and the Republic of Korea(RoK) have accused the DPRK of ordering the murder. However, DPRK Ambassador toMalaysia Kang Chol accused Malaysia of colluding with "hostileforces" by taking sides with the RoK to smear the image of the DPRK.
The verbal sparring betweenMalaysia and the DPRK led to Malaysia cancelling the visa-free arrangement twoweeks after the murder and expelling the DPRK ambassador. DPRK workers werealso deported, and there is now a freeze on the issuance of work permits forDPRK nationals.
At the height of the row, theDPRK retaliated by preventing Malaysian diplomats in Pyongyang from leaving thecountry. They were only allowed to return home after Malaysia agreed torepatriate Kim Chol's body to Pyongyang together with several DPRK suspects wantedby police in connection with the murder case.
Though then Malaysian PM NajibRazak did not break off diplomatic ties, Malaysia has virtually shut down itsembassy in Pyongyang while the DPRK Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is still without ahead of mission.
During the interview, Mahathirsaid Malaysia has an economic imperative to maintain amicable relations withother countries.
He welcomed the meeting betweenthe DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in Singapore onJune 12, and indicated that Malaysia will reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, butthat such a decision would have to wait until a new foreign minister isappointed.
Mahathir has so far named 13ministers to his Cabinet, including a foreign minister. The swear-in ceremonyis scheduled for July 2 after King Muhammad V approves the appointment.-VNA
In an interview granted to KyodoNews, Mahathir, who won the general election on May 9, said Malaysia wants toreestablish diplomatic relations with the DPRK.
When asked if his government willreinstate a visa-free travel arrangement with the DPRK, Mahathir said,"yes."
Malaysia and the DPRK onceenjoyed a cozy relationship prior to the murder of Kim Chol in broad daylightat Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13, 2017.
The US and the Republic of Korea(RoK) have accused the DPRK of ordering the murder. However, DPRK Ambassador toMalaysia Kang Chol accused Malaysia of colluding with "hostileforces" by taking sides with the RoK to smear the image of the DPRK.
The verbal sparring betweenMalaysia and the DPRK led to Malaysia cancelling the visa-free arrangement twoweeks after the murder and expelling the DPRK ambassador. DPRK workers werealso deported, and there is now a freeze on the issuance of work permits forDPRK nationals.
At the height of the row, theDPRK retaliated by preventing Malaysian diplomats in Pyongyang from leaving thecountry. They were only allowed to return home after Malaysia agreed torepatriate Kim Chol's body to Pyongyang together with several DPRK suspects wantedby police in connection with the murder case.
Though then Malaysian PM NajibRazak did not break off diplomatic ties, Malaysia has virtually shut down itsembassy in Pyongyang while the DPRK Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is still without ahead of mission.
During the interview, Mahathirsaid Malaysia has an economic imperative to maintain amicable relations withother countries.
He welcomed the meeting betweenthe DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in Singapore onJune 12, and indicated that Malaysia will reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, butthat such a decision would have to wait until a new foreign minister isappointed.
Mahathir has so far named 13ministers to his Cabinet, including a foreign minister. The swear-in ceremonyis scheduled for July 2 after King Muhammad V approves the appointment.-VNA
VNA
