(LEAD) Expelled N. Korean envoy to Malaysia voices strong regrets

All News 19:39 March 06, 2017

(ATTN: UPDATES with North Korean envoy's remarks in first 3 paras; CHANGES headline)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Yonhap) -- The North Korean ambassador who was ordered expelled from Malaysia over Kuala Lumpur's probe into the killing of the half-brother of the North's leader, Kim Jong-un, voiced strong regrets on Monday over his expulsion, repeating that the probe was biased.

Kang Chol, the North Korean envoy, made the remarks before heading to Pyongyang at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Kang described his expulsion as an "extreme measure" that could undermine bilateral ties between North Korea and Malaysia, while arguing that his criticism over Malaysia's investigation into the killing of Kim Jong-nam was "fair."

Earlier last week Malaysia canceled a visa-free travel deal with Pyongyang in response to the North's criticism that Malaysia colluded with South Korea for its probe into the killing of Kim Jong-nam.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told reporters on Monday that his country has decided to expel Kang in a bid to defend its sovereignty and national pride, according to Malaysia's New Straits Times.

The prime minister said Kang should have apologized for making baseless allegations against Malaysia, but has yet to do so, the report added.

This photo, taken Feb. 20, 2017, shows Kang Chol (R), the North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur decided last week to expel Kang, ordering him to leave the country by March 6, 2017, amid a deepening diplomatic row over the two countries following the death of the half brother of North Korea's leader. (Yonhap)

Kim Jong-nam died on Feb. 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur after two Asian women allegedly smeared the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent on his face.

Malaysian police said that eight North Koreans are suspected of being involved in the death, along with the two women.

Ri Jong-chol, who was taken into custody, was released and deported last week due to a lack of evidence.

Four North Korean suspects are believed to have fled Malaysia to Pyongyang on the day of Kim's death. Police are looking for three others including Hyon Kwang-song, the second secretary at the North's embassy in Malaysia.

There is speculation that Malaysia is considering cutting off its diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, which have been maintained for more than 40 years.
(END)