North Korea to cut ties with Malaysia over extradition of citizen to US

Malaysia denounced North Korea’s decision, calling it ‘unfriendly and unconstructive’

The North Korean flag seen in the country’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 19 March, 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea has said it will cut diplomatic ties with Malaysia over the latter’s decision to extradite a North Korean man, accused of money laundering, to the United States. 

North Korea’s foreign ministry said that the American money laundering charges against the North Korean national were an “absurd fabrication and sheer plot” orchestrated by “the principal enemy of our state.”

Malaysia’s top court this month rejected claims by North Korean Mun Chol Myong that the US charge was politically motivated and ruled that he could be extradited. 

Mr Mun was arrested in May 2019 after the US requested his extradition, accusing him of laundering money through front companies and violating international sanctions by helping to ship prohibited luxury goods from Singapore to North Korea. He moved to Malaysia from Singapore in 2008.

North Korea’s foreign ministry said it was severing diplomatic relations with Malaysia, which “committed super-large hostile act[s] against (North Korea) in subservience to the US pressure,” according to the Associated Press. It also warned that the US will “pay a price.” 

Malaysia denounced North Korea’s decision, calling it “unfriendly and unconstructive.” Its foreign ministry said in a statement that the extradition was only carried out after the due legal process had been exhausted. 

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“The rights of Mun Chol Myong while in custody in Malaysia were also guaranteed and fulfilled, including his access to his own defence counsel, as well as to consular assistance and visits by his family,” it said. 

The ministry said Malaysia would close its embassy in Pyongyang, which had already suspended operation in 2017, and order all diplomatic staff at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur to leave the country within 48 hours. 

The development comes amid growing hostility between Washington and Pyongyang. North Korea this week rejected any offer of negotiations with the US unless it withdraws its “hostile policies.”

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has urged China to use its influence to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. He also said both pressure and diplomatic options are on the table for dealing with Pyongyang.