Security to be prioritised in reopening of embassy in N Korea: Saifuddin

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (above) said security and safety measures will be prioritised regarding Malaysia's decision to reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea, next year.

He said even though the details of the measures being taken cannot be revealed, this may include the status of visa-free entry for North Korean citizens to Malaysia.

"The moment we normalise our relations, we will address this issue. It doesn’t have to be visa-free.

"I don’t want to really go into that direction, but surely visits should be allowed, if not encouraged, and certain immigration rules and procedures must be observed," he told Bernama in an interview.

Saifuddin said he is optimistic that all these issues could be overcome by both parties.

Prior to the diplomatic tension following the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, Kim Jong-nam (below) on February 13, 2017 in Malaysia, North Koreans could travel visa-free to Malaysia and vice-versa.

Saifuddin also emphasised that the reopening of the embassy in the first quarter of 2020 is an indirect way for Malaysia to play a small role in motivating Pyongyang to continue its peace talks with neighbouring South Korea.

"As long as DPRK (North Korea) show genuine interest in negotiating and moving forward, there must be some encouragement. For example, lift some of the sanctions. But this is not happening.

"So, by reactivating our embassy, it’s a signal to DPRK that we appreciate that you are now working with your neighbour and we want to be an indirect party to it by normalising our relations. Hence, we want to reactivate our embassy," he said.

The diplomatic relations between Malaysia and North Korea have been strained since the beginning of the investigation of Jong-nam's death.

Malaysia declared then North Korean ambassador to Malaysia, Kang Chol (below), as 'persona non-grata' on March 4, 2017 after he failed to apologise for making claims that Malaysia was conspiring with South Korea in investigating the assassination. In retaliation, North Korea did the same.

Effective March 6, 2017, Malaysia withdrew its visa-free privilege for North Korean citizens.

Pyongyang then blocked Malaysian embassy personnel and their families from leaving North Korea. Malaysia reciprocated with a similar ban.

The diplomatic tension eased slightly after all nine Malaysian Embassy staff members and their families returned to Malaysia on March 31, 2017.

Malaysia also allowed North Korean citizens in Malaysia to leave the country, and Jong-nam’s body was also returned to North Korea at his family’s request.

Before the incident, Malaysia was one of the few trade partners of Pyongyang after the country was isolated by the international community following its nuclear and missile programmes.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 30, 1973.

- Bernama