KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council amid a tense diplomatic stand-off with North Korea that has left 11 Malaysians stranded in Pyongyang.

He condemned Pyongyang for “effectively holding our citizens hostage” in total disregard of all international law and diplomatic norms and demanded their immediate release.

“I call upon the North Korean leadership to immediately allow our citizens to leave to avoid any further escalation,” he said in a statement today.

He said Malaysia is a peace-loving nation and 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,” he said in a statement today.

Malaysian police seal off access into and out of the North Korean embassy in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur after the government imposed a ban on its diplomats from leaving the country on March 7, 2017.
Malaysian police seal off access into and out of the North Korean embassy in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur after the government imposed a ban on its diplomats from leaving the country on March 7, 2017.

Najib also said he has instructed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to prevent all North Korean citizens here from leaving the country until the government is assured of the safety and security of Malaysians in North Korea.

Earlier today, the government of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un banned Malaysians in its country from leaving amid a row over the February 13 murder of Kim Jong-nam on Malaysian soil with VX, lethal nerve agent that has been banned by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican confirmed separately that 11 Malaysians are currently stranded in North Korea after its government imposed a ban on them leaving the country.

Among them are two Malaysians with the UN Food Programme, three embassy staff and their six family members.

Malaysian police stand guard in front of the North Korean embassy in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur after the government imposed a ban on its diplomats from leaving the country on March 7, 2017.
Malaysian police stand guard in front of the North Korean embassy in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur after the government imposed a ban on its diplomats from leaving the country on March 7, 2017.

Malaysian police are looking for eight North Koreans suspected of involvement in Jong-nam’s murder, three who are believed to be in hiding at the embassy here, including a senior diplomat and a state airline employee.

In an immediate response to Pyongyang’s ban, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi similarly barred North Korean embassy officials from leaving Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid told reporters at Parliament that the Cabinet will meet this Friday and discuss if it is to sever all ties with North Korea.