Malaysia hints at resuming relations with North Korea

ANKARA

Malaysia premier hinted Tuesday that his country is talking to Pyongyang and would resume relations with North Korea.

"We want to be friendly with all countries in the world,” Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said during his trip to South Korea where he is attending a special summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the port city of Busan.

“Even North Korea can provide some trade for us. We don't like confrontation," he told Yonhap news agency.

"So, now it is time to resume the normal relations between Malaysia and North Korea," Mahathir added.

He extended support for South Korean President Moon Jae-In's regional peace initiative. "I appreciate President Moon's idea.

He is making some progress," he said, “but the international community should avoid an attitude calling on North Korea to do everything before relieving sanctions.”

Heaping praise on South Korean policies, Mahathir said ASEAN welcomes Seoul’s “look south policy.”

"So, it is important that ASEAN develops good relations with [South] Korea because we can benefit from your experience, your ways of doing things and also investments from Korea," he added.