Malaysia Declared North Korea Ambassador as Persona Non Grata

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has expelled North Korea's ambassador after he criticised its investigation into the killing of the North Korean leader's half-brother.

"Ambassador Kang Chol must leave within 48 hours," Malaysia's foreign ministry says.

It demanded an apology after the envoy said North Korea could not trust Malaysia's handling of the probe, but says it did not receive one.

Malaysia has not directly blamed North Korea for the attack, in which two women smeared the nerve agent VX on Kim's face. But there is widespread suspicion Pyongyang was responsible.

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.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman, declared the ambassador "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," 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 another from Indonesia, have been charged with murder. They both said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank, but are yet to make a formal plea in their case.

The expulsion of the envoy also comes 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.