PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian diplomatic staff at the embassy in Pyongyang are safe and sound.

A Malaysian official confirmed this when contacted and said Wisma Putra is in contact with them and have advised them to continue with their work as usual.

"We have communicated with our staff and are in touch with them today. They have been advised to lead their lives normally," said the official on Tuesday (March 7).

It is understood there is a total of 11 Malaysians in North Korea, comprising three Wisma Putra staff and their six family members, as well as two other Malaysians working for the World Food Programme.

The North Koreans have informed the embassy of its decision to ban all Malaysians from leaving the country.

Officials have described the latest move as further escalating of the diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Feb 13.