Malaysian PM: We will reopen embassy in DPRK

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Malaysia will reopen its embassy in Pyongyang, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said during his trip to Japan on Monday.

His remarks suggested an end to the diplomatic row over the assassination of DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother Kim Jong Nam in Kuala Lumpur last February.

Kim Jong Nam was killed at a Kuala Lumpur airport, which severely downgraded the relationship between the two sides.

February 18, 2017: A general view of the DPRK's Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. /VCG Photo

After his death, the DPRK questioned the credibility of the police probe conducted in Malaysia and insisted Kim Jong Nam has died of a heart attack, though the US and the Republic of Korea (ROK) said the murder was orchestrated by Pyongyang.

Malaysia then recalled its ambassador to the DPRK, banned its citizens from traveling to the country and canceled visa-free entry for DPRK's citizens.

The DPRK then hit back, issuing a travel ban on all Malaysians in Pyongyang.

DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un (L) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump (R) after taking part in a signing ceremony at the end of their historic US-DPRK summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

The sign of warming relations between the two showed before the US-DPRK summit when Mohamad said he hoped both sides were ready to give ground.

"[The ] DPRK has a right to have some of its own interests (upheld), as much as the US has its own interests to take care of in any negotiation," the PM said, adding that "we shouldn't be skeptical. When you (are suspicious), then you cannot work with people."

(Cover: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad smiles during an interview in Putrajaya, March 30, 2017. /VCG Photo)