Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said he is looking at all options after meeting family members of nine Malaysians stranded in North Korea.

“I had a meeting today to look at all the available options.

“The government is doing all that we can to bring them back home as soon as possible.

“We are engaged with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government for this purpose through their embassy in Kuala Lumpur,” he said in a statement after the meeting.

Anifah said he had a phone conversation with the Malaysian embassy counsellor Mohd Nor Azrin Md Zain in Pyongyang.

“All of them are in good health and high spirits. They are safe in the embassy’s compound and free to move about and lead a normal life.

“I am sure that all of the staff members and their families will continue to keep their spirits high.

“I also hope that all family members here in Malaysia will continue to support them and pray for their well-being and safe return soon,” he said.

Anifah said the safety and security of Malaysia’s diplomatic staff and their family in Pyongyang is of utmost concern and the North Korean government had assured of their safety.

He added that embassies of other countries in Pyongyang have also supported the Malaysian diplomatic staff there.

“For example, during yesterday’s Friday prayers, the ambassadors from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) embassies offered their support and assistance, including the possibility of bringing supplies from outside of the DPRK,” he said.

North Korea had accused Malaysia of colluding with South Korea and other hostile forces to blame the country for the murder of Kim Jong-nam.

Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed using the chemical weapon VX nerve agent at the KL International Airport 2 on Feb 13.

Wisma Putra had expelled the North Korean ambassador Kang Chol after he refused to apologise for the accusations levelled against Malaysia.

Pyongyang responded by barring Malaysians from leaving North Korea.

On Thursday, two Malaysians were allowed to leave the country as they held United Nations travel documents.

However, three Malaysian diplomatic staffers and six of their family members remain stranded in Pyongyang.