Dhaka: The government has decided to expel North Korean diplomat in Dhaka Son Young Nam and will ask its embassy in Dhaka to take him back soon for gold smuggling.

The government will also convey its decision to the North Korean government within a couple of days asking to withdraw the diplomat from Bangladesh, said a diplomatic source.

Initially, the government had considered three options, including asking his government to immediately withdraw him from Bangladesh.  The two other options that were considered were withdrawal of his diplomatic immunity and his prosecution under the country’s anti-smuggling laws apart from declaring him persona-non-grata, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

The North Korean diplomat (Commercial and Economic Affairs) was caught with 27kg gold worth about Tk 14 core at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here on Friday night.