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.
Malaysia has also 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.
Mr Kim was the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The late Kim Jong-il’s eldest son is thought to have fled North Korea after being passed over for the leadership.
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.
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.
They were flown home in a business jet plane piloted by members of the Malaysian air force.
Malaysia had previously said they would not release the body until a request came from family members.
On Thursday, Mr Najib said a formal request had been received from the family, but did not give further details. It is not known who exactly requested for the body.
Mr Kim’s own family previously lived in Macau but they are now thought to be in hiding.
His son Kim Han-sol appeared in a video earlier this month confirming he was with his mother and sister at an unspecified location.
