Expelled N Korea envoy criticizes Malaysian investigation before departure
Kuala Lumpur: North Korea's expelled ambassador fired a final salvo at Malaysia on Monday over its probe into the assassination of the half-brother of Pyongyang's leader, describing the investigation as biased.
Speaking at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before his flight was due, Ambassador Kang Chol disparaged what he called a "pretargeted investigation by the Malaysian police".
The murder of Kim Jong-Nam with VX nerve agent at the same airport last month sparked an acrimonious dispute between the two countries.
North Korea has not acknowledged the dead man's identity but has repeatedly criticised the murder investigation and autopsy, accusing Malaysia of conniving with its enemies.
"They have conducted the autopsy without the consent and attendance of the DPRK (North Korea) embassy and later arrested a DPRK citizen without any clear evidence showing his involvement in the incident," ambassador Kang said.
South Korea has blamed the North for the murder, citing what it says was a standing order from leader Kim Jong-Un to kill his exiled half-brother who may have been seen as a potential rival.
Before the ambassador left for the airport, police armed with assault rifles had cordoned off the entrance to North Korea's embassy, with police vehicles and motorcycle outriders parked nearby.
Kang departed in a black chauffeured Jaguar - the North Korean flag denoting an ambassador now removed from its bonnet. He checked in a Philips TV, three suitcases and four boxes vacuum-wrapped and stamped with the words, DPRK Pyongyang.
Senior government officials told AFP he was expected to leave at 18.25 on flight MH360 for Beijing, shortly after the deadline for his expulsion at 1800.
Malaysia declared Kang persona non grata on Saturday and gave him 48 hours to leave the country after he failed to apologise for his criticism of the investigation.
The diplomatic dispute erupted last month when police rejected North Korean diplomats' demands to hand over Kim's body.
Kang then claimed the investigation was politically motivated and said Kuala Lumpur was conspiring with "hostile forces" - a reference to the North's arch-rival, Seoul.
Malaysia summoned Kang for a dressing-down, with Najib saying the ambassador's statement was "diplomatically rude". Malaysia has also recalled its envoy to Pyongyang and cancelled a rare visa-free travel deal with North Korea. It ordered the ambassador expelled after he failed to present himself at the foreign ministry when summoned on Saturday.
