FALLOUT

Malaysia Expels North Korean Ambassador

After the country failed to apologize for criticizing Malaysia’s Kim Jong Nam probe.

Malaysia has expelled North Korea’s ambassador for criticizing the country’s investigation into the assassination of the North Korean leader’s half-brother. North Korean Ambassador Kang Chol was given 48 hours to leave the country, according to a statement released by Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on Saturday. The expulsion comes after the North Korean government lambasted Malaysia’s investigation into the Feb. 13 murder of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur’s airport, saying it was all part of a conspiracy masterminded by South Korea. The decision to expel Chol was made because North Korea had not apologized for those statements, the foreign minister said. The killing has triggered a major diplomatic spat between the two countries, as Malaysian police seek several North Korean suspects in the crime, including a diplomat. Kim Jong Nam died on the way to the hospital after two women smeared VX nerve agent on his face.