North Korea suddenly announced to completely cut off diplomatic relations with Malaysia

According to Reuters and Malaysia Insight, the 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 citizen of the DPRK to the United States. Therefore, the DPRK announced the complete severance of diplomatic relations with Malaysia."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Korealashed out at what they called “hostile acts” 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 had lived in Malaysia with his family for many years, was arrested in 2029 on a US extradition request. In court, Mun denied FBI charges that he was the head 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.