Diplomatic Row

[Anchor Lead]

The diplomatic row between Malaysia and North Korea over Kim Jong-nam's death is escalating. Some critics are calling on the Malaysian government to re-consider its visa waiver program for North Korean nationals.

[Pkg]

The recently recalled Malaysian ambassador to North Korea has left Pyongyang and stopped by Beijing, where he expressed his discontent with North Korea.

[Soundbite] Mohamed Nizan Mohamad(Malaysian Ambassador to N. Korea)

Public sentiment toward North Korea continues to deteriorate in Malaysia over Kim Jong-nam's assassination, which has led to a diplomatic conflict. Malaysian media have been covering Kim's assassination for days as headline news, comparing his poisoning to a movie scene. The incident has prompted many to call for a reconsideration of Malaysia's visa waiver program with North Korea.

[Soundbite] Malaysian Reporter

Observers say that if the North Korean regime is found to have been involved in Kim's assassination, Malaysia will be forced to go beyond restricting travel between the two countries and reconsider its diplomatic ties with Pyongyang from scratch. The diplomatic row between the two nations has begun to affect non-government sectors as well, with the Football Association of Malaysia pondering whether to relocate an Asian Cup qualifying match with the North Korean team slated for next month in Pyongyang to a third country.