North Korea and Malaysia are trading blows over the death of Kim Jong Un's brother

North Korea said on Tuesday it had temporarily banned Malaysians from leaving the country to ensure the safety of its diplomats and citizens in Malaysia amid an escalating row over the killing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother.

Nearly a dozen Malaysians, three of them embassy staff, are reported to still be in North Korea.

Shortly after North Korea's announcement, Malaysia's National News Agency reported that Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister would not allow North Korean officals and staff from leaving Malaysia.

The North's foreign ministry has notified the Malaysian embassy in Pyongyang of the reason for the measure and said it had hoped the case would be swiftly and fairly resolved in order to develop bilateral ties with Malaysia, the North's KCNA news agency reported.