The Malaysian foreign ministry has recalled their ambassador to North Korea and its envoy, following strong criticism against the government from North Korean ambassador Kang Chol.
Pyongyang’s ambassador to Malaysia was also summoned by Wisma Putra over his accusations that the investigation of Kim Jong Nam’s death was politically motivated. He accused Kuala Lumpur of “colluding and playing into the gallery of external forces”, insinuating that the government had “something to conceal”.
Wisma Putra released a statement saying that it views the allegations as a serious attempt to tarnish the name of the country. It continues that the Malaysian government has been transparent regarding the case and the North Korean embassy has been informed of all the latest findings of the investigation.
The statement also explained that Kang was summoned to provide an explanation for his strong worded comments against the country.
While speaking about the issue, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman stated that Malaysia is deeply insulted by the accusations. He also repeated that the investigations was “done impartially and without fear or favour”.
The full statement is as below:
“Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia.
YB DATO’ SRI ANIFAH HAJI AMAN, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY H.E. AMBASSADOR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S
REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO MALAYSIA RELATING TO THE DEATH OF ITS CITIZEN IN MALAYSIA
1. On 20 February 2017, the Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Malaysia issued a Press Release. The Press Release contains a list of allegations related to the investigation surrounding the death of a DPRK citizen which occurred on 13th February 2017.
2. These allegations, culled from delusions, lies and half-truths, are the basis from which the Ambassador concluded that “there could be someone else’s hand behind the investigation”, and that the “investigation by the Malaysian police is not for the clarification of the cause of the death and search of the suspect, but it is out of the political aim”.
3. When the Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on 20th February 2017, it was emphasised by the Deputy Secretary General for Bilateral Affairs that the police investigation has been done impartially without fear or favour. It was also conducted in compliance with Malaysian laws and regulations.
4. Any suggestion to the contrary is deeply insulting to Malaysia, as is the suggestion that Malaysia is in collusion with any foreign government.
5. This police investigation has been based on, and will also pursue, all leads available, including leads which go beyond, or not related to, the information provided by embassies and other entities.
6. In all civilised nations, it is the norm for cases such as these to be comprehensively investigated. It is the responsibility of the government to do so. The public also rightly demands it. It is for this reason that information has been made public as and when needed.
7. It is also customary for embassies to co-operate fully with the host government in order to ensure that the investigation is as thorough as possible, and not to impugn the credibility of the investigation.”
Just yesterday, (Monday, 20th February), Kang condemned the results of the investigations regarding Kim Jong Nam’s death in a press conference, although it has yet to be concluded. In his words, “It has been 7 days since the incident, but there is no clear evidence on the cause of death and at the moment we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police.”
In his speech, he also accused Malaysian officials of beating the teenage son of the North Korean suspect who was arrested last week in Kuala Lumpur.
