Due to the extradition of a North Korean man to the United States, North Korea severed diplomatic relations with Malaysia.
A Malaysian judge authorized the transfer of the suspect on suspicion of money laundering.
State broadcaster KCNA of the Orthodox Stalinist-ruled country reported that Washington “will pay the price.” It accuses Malaysia of an “unforgivable crime as a subordinate of American pressure”.
The dictatorial regime in Pyongyang reacted harshly earlier in the day to attempts by the US government to make contact. That will only be the case when the US stops its “hostile policy”, referring, among other things, to sanctions and US military exercises in the region.
In South Korea, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken alluded to new means of pressure, in addition to diplomatic consultations, without going into detail.