• Neptium@lemmygrad.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    The colour for Malaysia is outdated. North Korea-Malaysia diplomatic relations were cordial in the past but worsened in 2017 after the assassination of Kim Jong-nam in 2017 in KLIA. Relationships soured further in 2021 after Malaysia expedited a North Korean businessman to the US in contradiction to north Korean wishes.

    Further information by an official Malaysian government website. Another Malaysian site detailing the timeline of events.

    Here is north Korea’s official response by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    It is important to note however the Malaysian establishment is in favour of positive diplomatic relations with North Korea. Friendly relations is especially advocated by Mahathir, a member of the traditional Malay-Muslim ascendant national bourgeoisie that governed as PM from 1981-2003 and 2018-2020. He did leave remarks that he wanted to improve relations with North Korea when he was in power. However after the Sheraton move, and subsequently 2 governent reshuffles and the 2022 election, diplomatic relations with North Korea is stuck in limbo without any sign of change in the short term.

    In terms of national ideology and foreign policy, North Korea and Malaysia have more in common than differences. To speak of it in a Malaysian perspective, Malaysia was one of the first member of ASEAN to normalize relations with communist countries. Despite being a middle-power state, it has more than 111 diplomatic missions in 85 countries, with a passport holding visa-free travel through 168 territories.

    Although the current circumstances is unfortunate, I don’t doubt that eventually Malaysia-North Korea relations will warm up again - especially with the decline of US-led Western hegemony.

    Personally, this whole situation is a bit saddening as I did plan to visit North Korea one day - and tour guide prices weren’t too pricey (when they were running).

    • CicadaSpectre@lemmygrad.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      1 year ago

      I live in the US, so I’m spoon fed bullshit about NK and can’t trust Google searches to save my life. What was the real situation surrounding Kim Jong-nam?

      • cayde6ml@lemmygrad.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        10
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        I ask myself this alot, and I’d be curious to know the “truth” as well. But from what I can gather, Kim Jong-nam was a stooge and a traitor, selling secrets and clandestinely meeting with the CIA

      • Neptium@lemmygrad.ml
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        On the top right there is a drop-down menu with the letters “KP”. If you click on it you can choose English instead.