‘Talks on N. Korea traveller status after relations normalise’

KUALA LUMPUR: The status of visa-free entry for North Korean citizens to Malaysia will be discussed once diplomatic relations with Pyongyang normalise, says Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

The Foreign Minister said all security and safety measures would continue to be prioritised after Malaysia decided to reopen its embassy in North Korea next year.

“Though I can’t reveal the details, we will address the issues one by one. It doesn’t have to be visa-free.

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

Saifuddin said he was optimistic that all these issues would be addressed by both parties.

Prior to tensions after the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother Kim Jongnam on Feb 13, 2017 in Malaysia, North Koreans could travel visafree to Malaysia and vice-versa.

Saifuddin also said the reopening of the embassy in the first quarter of next year was 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 North Korea shows interest in moving forward, there must be some encouragement. For example, the lifting of some sanctions – but this is not happening.

“So by reactivating our embassy, it’s a signal 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,” he said.

The diplomatic ties between Malaysia and North Korea have been strained since the investigation into Jong-nam’s murder.

Malaysia declared the then North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol persona non grata on March 4, 2017, after he failed to apologise for making claims that Malaysia was conspiring with South Korea in probing 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 took the move to block Malaysian embassy personnel and their families from leaving North Korea and Malaysia reciprocated with a similar ban.

Diplomatic tensions eased slightly after all nine Malaysian embassy staff and their families returned to Malaysia on March 31, 2017.

Malaysia also allowed North Korean citizens 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 North Korea’s few trade partners after it was isolated by the international community following its nuclear and missile programmes.

Diplomatic relations were first established on June 30, 1973. — Bernama