Kuala Lumpur- North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol (pic), left the country on Monday less than 48 hours after the government in Kuala Lumpur declared him persona non grata.
The diplomat’s departure came exactly three weeks after the February 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport.
Kang had spoken out against the Malaysian authorities, even accusing the government at one point of colluding with foreign powers during the investigation into the alleged murder.
Kang also said the probe could not be trusted and had tried to point the finger of blame towards South Korea.
In a short press conference at the airport, Kang accused the Malaysian police of conducting a “pre-targeted investigation.”
He criticized Malaysian authorities for carrying out Kim Jong Nam’s autopsy “without the consent and attendance of the DPRK embassy” and for the arrest of a North Korean man “without any clear evidence showing his involvement in the incident.”
“I express… concern over the extreme measures taken by the Malaysian government doing great harm to the bilateral relations which have a history of more than 40 years,” Kang added.
Much speculation into Kim’s death has focused on whether the death was the result of a conspiracy launched in Pyongyang.
Kim was allegedly attacked by two women who swabbed a toxic chemical VX nerve agent on his face. Both suspects have been charged with murder.
Separately, a North Korean questioned in connection with the killing accused the Malaysian government of arresting him without evidence and trying to make him confess.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday released a statement ordering Kang to leave the country by 6pm Monday (1000 GMT).
“Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its reputation,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Haji Aman had said in the statement.
– dpa
