South Korea Malaysia plans to re-establish diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, which deteriorated after the alleged brother of Kim Jong-un was assassinated in Kuala Lumpur.

"Now is the time to normalize relations between Malaysia and North Korea," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said today while attending the ASEAN-Korea Summit in the port city of Busan.

"We want to be friendly to every country in the world. North Korea can even conduct business with us. We do not want to confront," the 94-year-old Prime Minister said in an interview with the news agency. Yonhap.

Mahathir emphasized pragmatic diplomacy of Malaysia and said he was preparing to reopen the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang, which was partially closed after the poisoning of the alleged Kim Jong-nam, the elder brother of the Korean leader. Tien Kim Jong-un, in February 2017.

Mahathir said the North Korean talk behind the assassination was "speculation" and said the assassination did not affect Malaysian security. "We are dealing with North Korean officials, negotiating with them. We will discuss with them the appropriate time to reopen the embassy," the Prime Minister said.

The US and South Korea accused North Korea of staging an assassination attempt on the alleged Kim Jong-nam. However, North Korea denied, claiming that the only person named Kim Chol.

Diplomatic relations worsened after North Korea suspected the credibility of an investigation conducted by Malaysia. Malaysia recalled its ambassador to North Korea, banned citizens from traveling and canceled visa-free travel for North Korean citizens.

North Korea retaliated with a ban on leaving Malaysia in the country, arresting three diplomats and five family members. These people were allowed to leave the country after Malaysia agreed to hand over the bodies of the dead. The Malaysian Embassy in Pyongyang has been staffed since April 2017.

Malaysia and North Korea began diplomatic relations in 1973 and significantly enhanced during Mahathir's first term as prime minister in 1981-2003. Malaysia remains optimistic with North Korea even as international sanctions on North Korea's nuclear weapons program are tightening.

While Singapore ended its visa-waiver agreement for North Korea in 2016 following the latest round of UN sanctions, Malaysia maintains the deal. In return, Malaysia is one of the few countries whose citizens are free to enter North Korea without a visa.

During his visit to Japan last year, Mahathir also mentioned the issue of reopening the embassy in Pyongyang.