The police sealed off the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon in order to determine the number of officials and staff left behind following the expulsion of ambassador Kang Chol.

At about 12.30pm, embassy counsellor Kim Yu-song emerged from the building, and was seen talking on his mobile phone next to a black Mercedes-Benz with a diplomatic number plate, which attempted to reverse.

He then walked to the front gates, and shouted: "Police, come!"

Kim only managed to leave at about 2.15pm after the police cordon was removed.

A police patrol car remained at the scene and officers were seen jotting down details of the cars and those who left the embassy.

Shortly after the cordon was removed, another black Mercedes-Benz exited the embassy with an unidentified woman in the front seat.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed earlier told reporters outside the embassy that the government is confirming the numbers and identities of North Koreans working there.

This afternoon, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ordered that all North Koreans be prevented from leaving Malaysia following Pyongyang's move to impose a temporary ban on Malaysians exiting the republic.

Najib also lambasted Pyongyang for holding the Malaysians "hostage".