N Korean embassy worker tries to grab phone from journalist

Commotion breaks out after N Korean diplomat gets upset over recording of him throwing rubbish outside embassy.

KUALA LUMPUR: A North Korean diplomat was visibly upset with a journalist who was recording him throwing rubbish in front of the North Korean embassy at 9.15pm last night.

While bringing out a bed, Kim Yu Song, who is a counsellor with the embassy, was heard shouting in Korean and pointing his finger at the journalist who was recording his action.

The journalist from Bernama however, continued to use his phone to record what was unfolding at the embassy when items, such as a bed, television set, air condition, chairs, table and boxes were thrown out.

About 10 minutes later, another North Korean man, believed to be a worker at the embassy, came out and tried to grab the phone from the Bernama journalist who was standing outside the compound of the embassy.

After failing to grab the phone, the worker approached the journalist but the latter was able to move away, thus avoiding any commotion or confrontation.

The embassy worker then returned to the compound of the embassy where Yu Song was busy dumping the items.

Local and foreign journalists have been camping outside the embassy since the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s half-brother Kim Jong Nam at klia2 on Feb 13.

The relationship between Malaysia and North Korea has been tense since the incident as both countries had recalled their ambassadors.

Nine Malaysians, comprising three embassy staff and six family members have also not been allowed to leave Pyongyang, and in retaliation, Malaysia has stopped all movement of North Koreans out of the country. -FMT