North Korea suddenly announced to completely cut off diplomatic relations with Malaysia
North Korea has announced it will sever diplomatic ties with Malaysia after a Malaysian court allowed the extradition of a North Korean citizen to the United States.
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| Mun Chol's wife and North Korean embassy officials in Malaysia leave the high court in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA |
According to Reuters and Malaysia Insight, the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a March 19 announcement from the country's Foreign Ministry stating: "On March 17, Malaysian authorities committed an unforgivable crime...forcibly handing over an innocent North Korean citizen to the United States. Therefore, North Korea announced the complete severance of diplomatic relations with Malaysia."
North Korean Foreign Ministrycriticized what they called “hostile actions” against Pyongyang.
North Korea's statement said the man was conducting legitimate foreign trade activities in Singapore and stressed that Malaysia's charges against him were "fabricated... to argue that he was involved in illegal money laundering".
On March 3, North Korean citizen Mun Chol Myong was unsuccessful in his final appeal before the Malaysian High Court. Therefore, Mun will be extradited to the United States to face money laundering charges.
Mun, who lived in Malaysia with his family for many years, was arrested in 2029 at the request of the United States for extradition. In court, Mun denied FBI charges that he was the leader of a criminal group that violated sanctions by supplying banned items to North Korea and laundering money through front companies.
Mun faces four charges of money laundering and two of conspiracy to launder money. The charges mostly relate to Mun's work in Singapore, his lawyer said.
It is unclear what Mun is accused of supplying to North Korea. However, there have been cases of people in Singapore sending luxury items such as wine and watches to North Korea. The export of these items to North Korea is banned as part of sanctions imposed on the country by the United Nations and other countries, including the United States.