North Korea withdraws diplomat

Amid 72-hour ultimatum, the North Korean government has withdrawn its diplomat, who was caught with 27kg of gold worth about Tk 14 core on Thursday in Dhaka.

Son Young Nam, first secretary (Commercial and Economic Affairs) of North Korean embassy in Dhaka, left for his country last night.

The foreign ministry today summoned North Korean Ambassador Ri Song Hyon around 10:00am and informed him about four steps against the diplomat.

The steps include withdrawing him from Bangladesh within 72 hours, prosecuting him in North Korea for the offices and informing Bangladesh about the steps taken against him.

In the fourth steps, the government warned that it will take stern action if anyone from the embassy found involved any such crimes in future.

Jashim Uddin, director general of the foreign ministry, summoned the ambassador and conveyed the government messages.

“The Korean diplomat has committed a serious crime and he made a confessional statement in this regard,” the DG told The Daily Star.

The North Korean ambassador assured that the embassy will duly inform the foreign ministry about the actions to be taken after he returns to his country.

The diplomat was released the next day at 2:00pm under the Vienna Convention after he and his embassy officials gave a written confessional statement.