KIM JONG-NAM DEATH

Malaysia and N Korea in tit-for-tat exit bans

North Korea and Malaysia have banned each other's citizens from leaving their countries, in a growing row over the killing of Kim Jong-nam, reports BBC.
The extraordinary tit-for-tat actions come amid North Korean fury at Malaysia's ongoing investigation into his death at a Kuala Lumpur airport.
The North Korean leader's half-brother was killed with a potent nerve agent.
Malaysia has not directly blamed the North for this, but there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible.
North Korea has fiercely denied any accusations of culpability and the row over the killing - and who has the right to claim Mr Kim's body - has rapidly escalated over the past two weeks.
Both Malaysia and North Korea have already expelled each other's ambassadors.
The state news agency KCNA said on Tuesday that "all Malaysian nationals in the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] will be temporarily prohibited from leaving the country until the incident that happened in Malaysia is properly solved".
It said this was to ensure the safety of it citizens and diplomats in Malaysia.
Malaysians in North Korea would be able to carry on their lives as normal, it added.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said it was an "abhorrent act" which was "in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms".
Malaysians were effectively being held hostage in North Korea, he said in a statement. "Protecting our citizens is my first priority, and we will not hesitate to take all measures necessary when they are threatened."Malaysia initially responded by banning North Korean embassy staff and officials from leaving the country.
But Najib later said the ban would extend to all North Koreans.
Malaysian officials have said there are believed to be 11 Malaysian citizens currently in North Korea, mostly diplomats. They include two Malaysians working with the UN's World Food Programme, the organisation said.
The Malaysian authorities say there are about 1,000 North Koreans currently in Malaysia. Until last week, North Koreans did not need a visa to enter the country.
Such actions are highly unusual. Under Article 13 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, "everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country".
Malaysia has signed that declaration, but North Korea has not.
The ban also breaks the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which both countries have ratified.

 

KIM JONG-NAM DEATH

Malaysia and N Korea in tit-for-tat exit bans

North Korea and Malaysia have banned each others citizens from leaving their countries, in a growing row over the killing of Kim Jong-nam, reports BBC. The extraordinary tit-for-tat actions come amid North Korean fury at Malaysias ongoing investigation into his death at a Kuala Lumpur airport. The North Korean leaders half-brother was killed with a potent nerve agent. Malaysia has not directly blamed the North for this, but there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible. North Korea has fiercely denied any accusations of culpability and the row over the killing - and who has the right to claim Mr Kims body - has rapidly escalated over the past two weeks. Both Malaysia and North Korea have already expelled each others ambassadors. The state news agency KCNA said on Tuesday that all Malaysian nationals in the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] will be temporarily prohibited from leaving the country until the incident that happened in Malaysia is properly solved. It said this was to ensure the safety of it citizens and diplomats in Malaysia. Malaysians in North Korea would be able to carry on their lives as normal, it added. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said it was an abhorrent act which was in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms. Malaysians were effectively being held hostage in North Korea, he said in a statement. Protecting our citizens is my first priority, and we will not hesitate to take all measures necessary when they are threatened.Malaysia initially responded by banning North Korean embassy staff and officials from leaving the country. But Najib later said the ban would extend to all North Koreans. Malaysian officials have said there are believed to be 11 Malaysian citizens currently in North Korea, mostly diplomats. They include two Malaysians working with the UNs World Food Programme, the organisation said. The Malaysian authorities say there are about 1,000 North Koreans currently in Malaysia. Until last week, North Koreans did not need a visa to enter the country. Such actions are highly unusual. Under Article 13 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Malaysia has signed that declaration, but North Korea has not. The ban also breaks the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which both countries have ratified.