KUALA LUMPUR - The ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Malaysia, who has been expelled by Malaysia, on Monday expressed "grave concerns over the extreme measures taken" by Malaysia, which he said will harm bilateral ties.

It is the first time that Ambassador Kang Chol has spoken to the media after Kuala Lumpur declared him "persona non grata" on Saturday.

The expulsion of the envoy came after Kang and Pyongyang accused Malaysia of "colluding with hostile forces" in its investigation into the death of a DPRK man at the Kuala Lumpur airport, and refused to recognize the investigation.