North Korean ambassador Kang Chol, who was given 48 hours to leave Malaysia, cannot be arrested in the compound of the embassy even if he ignores the expulsion order and hides inside the embassy, Utusan Malaysia said today.
Quoting a source, the daily said Kang can only be arrested outside the embassy.
"The authorities cannot enter the building if the relevant envoy declines to come out," said the source when contacted.
When contacted, Deputy Home Minister Mohamed Nur Jazlan confirmed this.
"The North Korean embassy is sovereign territory, like a country. One must have permission to enter," said he said in a text message to Malaysiakini.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman declared Kang as 'persona non grata' (an unacceptable person) and ordered him to leave Malaysia.
Kang failed to turn up at Wisma Putra, despite being summoned to explain his previous statements against Malaysia.
The expulsion of the ambassador follows the decision of the Malaysian government that effective today, March 6, North Korean citizens must apply for a visa to enter Malaysia. The decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
A persona non grata order is issued against someone who is declared as unacceptable or unwelcome in the country he or she is in, and is banned from entering or continuing to stay in a country.
Media personnel again flocked at KL International Airport yesterday, awaiting for Kang to turn up to leave the country.
It remains unknown if Kang still in Malaysia or has left for North Korea.- Mkini
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