North Korea bans Malaysians from leaving in Kim spat

Kuala Lumpur : North Korea on Tuesday banned Malaysians from leaving the country, prompting an immediate tit-for-tat response from Kuala Lumpur and dramatically escalating an already-heated diplomatic row over the murder of Kim Jong-Nam.

Pyongyang's extraordinary move, which Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said meant it was "effectively holding our citizens hostage" came as North Korea faced growing international condemnation for a volley of missiles it fired into the Sea of Japan.

Tuesday's developments marked a severe heightening of tensions three weeks after the airport assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half-brother, who was killed with the banned VX nerve agent.

The North decided to "temporarily ban the exit of Malaysian citizens in the DPRK", Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said, citing the foreign ministry and using the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The bar would remain in place "until the safety of the diplomats and citizens of the DPRK in Malaysia is fully guaranteed through the fair settlement of the case that occurred in Malaysia".

Reports said 11 Malaysians were currently in North Korea.

Najib condemned the ban, and said he was ordering a similar ban on the movement of "all North Korean citizens in Malaysia". Analysts said they could number around 1,000 people.

The home ministry had previously suggested the ban only affected diplomats and embassy officials.

"This abhorrent act, effectively holding our citizens hostage, is in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms," Najib said, according to a statement.

"As a peace-loving nation, Malaysia is committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries.

"However, protecting our citizens is my first priority, and we will not hesitate to take all measures necessary when they are threatened."