The Malaysian Government has stopped issuing work permits for people from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) after the murder of a DPRK citizen at a Malaysian airport earlier this year, according to Kyodo news agency.

The Malaysian Government has stopped issuing work permits for people from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - Illustrative image (Photo: theatlantic.com)

Diplomatic sources said all employees of a DPRK restaurant in downtown Kuala Lumpur were deported after their work permits expired in May but were not extended.

About 1,000 DPRK labourers are working in Malaysia, mainly in mining and construction in Sarawak state on Borneo island.

Tensions between Malaysia and the DPRK reached boiling point after the assassination of Kim Chol, a DPRK citizen on February 13 in Malaysia.

Malaysia affirmed the man died of poisoning while the DPRK claimed he died of a heart attack, diabetes and high blood pressure. The DPRK has accused Malaysia of issuing false conclusions and said it does not accept Kuala Lumpur’s investigation results.

They also expelled each other's ambassadors and barred citizens from leaving each country in early March.

However, according to a deal reached by the sides on March 30, Malaysia agreed to transfer the body of the deceased to his family after the DPRK produced required documents. Meanwhile, nine Malaysian citizens held in the DPRK returned to Malaysia on March 31.

(Source: VNA)