North Koreas visiting Malaysia will no longer enjoy visa-free entry from March 6, as diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorate following the assassination of Kim Jong-nam at klia2 last month.
The move is aimed at safeguarding national security, according to national news agency Bernama, citing Malaysian deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
This is a complete turnaround after a recent statement by Malaysia’s tourism and culture minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz that there was no need to revoke visa-free access for North Koreans due to the existing travel restrictions already imposed by Pyongyang on its own citizens.
On Malaysians being advised to stay away from North Korea for security reasons, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ president, Hamzah Rahmat, commented: “Such travel advisories would apply to any destination where security of our citizens cannot be assured, and it is the fiduciary duty of all travel agents to place the safety of travellers above all else.”
