BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China said Friday it offered "necessary assistance" to the transit of the remains of a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen murdered in Malaysia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang cited a Malaysian statement as saying the remains and relevant people were back to DPRK from Kuala Lumpur via Beijing on Friday. He said China helped as a humanitarian act and in line with common international practice.

The spokesman made the remarks at a press conference when answering a question about the death of the 46-year-old DPRK national, who was murdered Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur airport. The man was reported to be Kim Jong Nam.

Malaysia and the DPRK were plunged into a dispute over the man's death and finally reached agreement late Thursday. Malaysia agreed to transfer the body of the deceased to his family after the DPRK produced the required documentation.