All North Korean diplomats have been expelled, says Hishammuddin

PETALING JAYA: All North Korean diplomats have been expelled from Malaysia, Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed.

The expulsion follows North Korea’s decision on Friday to sever diplomatic ties with Malaysia, a decision it described as “absolutely irresponsible.”

The severance of relations with Malaysia came after the Federal Court of Malaysia ruled that a North Korean national, Mun Chol Myong, could be extradited to the United States to face money laundering charges there.

The North Korean Foreign Ministry said the court decision was “an unforgivable crime.”

Hishammuddin said Malaysia’s decision to expel North Korean diplomats “had become a necessity to protect Malaysia’s sovereignty and safeguard our national interests.”

“This action is a reminder that Malaysia will never tolerate any attempts to meddle in our internal affairs and judiciary, will not respect our system of government, and will constantly create unnecessary tension in defiance of the rules-based international order.”

He added that the expulsion was carried out under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.