PUTRAJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia has denied claims that the country has stopped issuing work permits to North Koreans.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Saturday (July 1) said the report by Japan's Kyodo News Agency was "untrue".

"There is a report by Kyodo News of Japan claiming that we have stopped issuing work visas to North Koreans. That report is not true and there has not been any instructions given," said Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister.

The report quoted sources, claiming that the decision was made following recent diplomatic tensions between Malaysia and North Korea.

Malaysia became embroiled in a highly-publicised controversy with North Korea following the murder of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb 13. Kim was the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.