Malaysians in North Korea safe - Deputy Foreign Minister

Eleven Malaysians who are presently in North Korea are safe, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

He said the Malaysians comprised four Malaysian Embassy staff, two United Nations World Food Programme participants and five family members of the embassy staff.

Location of embassies in North Korea, and countries with North Korean embassies

"All 11 of them are currently in a safe situation. They are not in any way facing threats to their lives.

"Let us not come to that point yet," he said when asked whether they were being held hostage.

Speaking to media at the Parliament lobby, Reezal Merican also said he would contact one of them soon.

He also confirmed that there are no Malaysian tourists or journalists in the republic at the moment.

He added that Wisma Putra would issue a statement soon on the matter, including on efforts to be taken to bring back the Malaysians in North Korea.