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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Kim Jong-nam: Malaysians held in North Korea return home | Kim Jong-nam: Malaysians held in North Korea return home |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Nine Malaysians who were detained in North Korea have arrived home, after the two countries apparently struck a deal to end a diplomatic row. | Nine Malaysians who were detained in North Korea have arrived home, after the two countries apparently struck a deal to end a diplomatic row. |
| The quarrel, over last month's killing of Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur, had resulted in both countries banning each other's citizens from leaving. | The quarrel, over last month's killing of Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur, had resulted in both countries banning each other's citizens from leaving. |
| Malaysia has now allowed North Koreans to leave and released Mr Kim's body. | Malaysia has now allowed North Koreans to leave and released Mr Kim's body. |
| There is widespread suspicion that Pyongyang was responsible for orchestrating Mr Kim's murder. | There is widespread suspicion that Pyongyang was responsible for orchestrating Mr Kim's murder. |
| The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says that Malaysia appears to have acceded to North Korea's wishes to get the Malaysians released. | The BBC's South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head says that Malaysia appears to have acceded to North Korea's wishes to get the Malaysians released. |
| It had earlier reacted angrily to the travel ban which was first imposed by Pyongyang, and denounced North Korea for holding Malaysian citizens hostage. | It had earlier reacted angrily to the travel ban which was first imposed by Pyongyang, and denounced North Korea for holding Malaysian citizens hostage. |
| But on Friday morning Malaysia's foreign minister Anifah Aman, who received the returning Malaysians at the airport, told reporters: "There can be no substitute for diplomacy, for level-headedness in dealing with such situations, and this has served Malaysia well in this instance." | But on Friday morning Malaysia's foreign minister Anifah Aman, who received the returning Malaysians at the airport, told reporters: "There can be no substitute for diplomacy, for level-headedness in dealing with such situations, and this has served Malaysia well in this instance." |
| Mr Kim's body was released to North Korea and flown to Beijing early on Friday, where North Korean officials are expected to receive it. | |
| Malaysia had previously said they would not release the body until a request came from family members. | |
| On Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said a formal request had been received from the family, but did not give further details. | |
| Mr Najib also said after challenging negotiations, that all North Koreans would be allowed to leave Malaysia - which likely includes suspects in the murder who are wanted by Malaysian police. | |
| The nine Malaysian nationals were met by their relatives and a large media contingent at Kuala Lumpur airport early on Friday. | The nine Malaysian nationals were met by their relatives and a large media contingent at Kuala Lumpur airport early on Friday. |
| Those who have returned include the country's counsellor to North Korea, Mohd Nor Azrin Md Zain, embassy staff, and their families. | Those who have returned include the country's counsellor to North Korea, Mohd Nor Azrin Md Zain, embassy staff, and their families. |
| The counsellor said that when Pyongyang told them they could not leave North Korea, "we were very concerned especially since we had committed no wrong". | The counsellor said that when Pyongyang told them they could not leave North Korea, "we were very concerned especially since we had committed no wrong". |
| But he added they were "not particularly harassed" by North Korean authorities. "We were given the assurance that life could go on as normal," he said. | But he added they were "not particularly harassed" by North Korean authorities. "We were given the assurance that life could go on as normal," he said. |
| They were flown home in a business jet plane piloted by members of the Malaysian air force. | They were flown home in a business jet plane piloted by members of the Malaysian air force. |