Anchor: Pyongyang is temporarily preventing Malaysian citizens in North Korea from leaving until the safety of its own diplomats is guaranteed in the Southeast Asian country. In response, Malaysia has announced a similar ban against North Koreans. The bilateral ties have turned sour between Malaysia and North Korea following the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half brother in Kuala Lumpur last month. 
Bae Joo-yon wraps up the latest developments. 
 
Report: Conflicts are deepening as both Malaysia and North Korea have expelled each other’s ambassadors over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother Kim Jong-nam.
 
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) reported on Monday that Pyongyang has decided to formally expel Malaysian Ambassador to North Korea Mohamad Nizan Mohamad. 
 
Mohamad Nizan had already returned to Malaysia after being called back eight days after Kim Jong-nam was killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last month.
 
Pyongyang’s expulsion of the Malaysian envoy came after a similar action by Kuala Lumpur against North Korean Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol on Saturday. Kang left for the North following a 48-hour deadline given by Malaysia.
  
The two diplomats have been in the center of the current diplomatic row. Malaysia has been protesting North Korea's accusation that its investigation into Kim’s death was unfair while North Korea is unhappy that its requests for Kim’s body have been repeatedly denied.   
 
On Tuesday, the diplomatic row intensified as Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry notified the Malaysian embassy that its citizens are temporarily banned from leaving North Korea until the safety of North Korean diplomats is guaranteed in the Southeast Asian country.
 
Hours after Pyongyang announced the decision, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak responded with the same move, banning all North Korean citizens from leaving the country. In a statement the Prime Minister explained the measure is ensure the safety of Malaysians in North Korea.ecured.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News. 

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