Malaysia has expelled North Korea's ambassador after he criticised its investigation into the killing of the North Korean leader's half-brother.
North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol has been ordered to leave the country after he said Malaysia's handling of an investigation into Kim Jong-nam's death could not be trusted. Photo: AFP
Malaysia's foreign ministry says North Korean ambassador Kang Chol must leave the country within 48 hours.
It demanded an apology after the envoy said North Korea could not trust Malaysia's handling of the probe, but said it did not receive one.
Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, died three weeks ago at a Kuala Lumpur airport.
Malaysia has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, in which two women smeared nerve agent VX on Mr Kim's face. But there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible.
Mr Kang, who had become a fierce critic of his host country, said the probe into the killing had become "politicised" and was being interfered with.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman declared ambassador Kang "persona non grata", and said his country had demanded an apology for the comments, but this was not forthcoming.
"Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its reputation," Mr Anifah said in a statement.
The North Korean representative also failed to turn up for a meeting at the Malaysian foreign ministry on Saturday, he added.
Malaysia is seeking to question several North Koreans, including an embassy official, over the death of Kim Jong-nam.
Two women, one from Vietnam and the other from Indonesia, have been charged with murder.
They had both said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank, but were yet to make a formal plea in their case.
The expulsion of the envoy also came after the government announced an investigation into a company called Glocom, which has been operating in Malaysia for several years.
According to a confidential United Nations report, Glocom is run by North Korea's top intelligence agency to sell military communications equipment, in violation of UN sanctions.
Earlier on Saturday, a North Korean suspect questioned in connection with the case was released due to insufficient evidence.
Malaysia was one of very few countries that had relatively friendly relations with North Korea, but it cancelled visa-free travel for visiting North Koreans in the wake of the killing, citing security reasons.
It had already recalled its ambassador in Pyongyang while it investigated the case.
North Korea has not yet confirmed that the body is that of Kim Jong-nam, acknowledging him only as a North Korean citizen.
Mr Kim was travelling using a passport under a different name.