Jong-nam murder: Delegation from North Korea arrives in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: A high-level delegation from North Korea has arrived in Malaysia to discuss a number of issues with Malaysian government officials, including the return of the body of one of its citizens.  

The delegation’s spokesman, former North Korean ambassador to the United Nations Ri Tong-il, said high on the agenda would be the return of the body of its citizen who died at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Feb 13.  

“We will also be discussing the release of another citizen, who was arrested by Malaysian police related to the above incident.  

“Development of friendly relations between North Korea and the Malaysian Government will also be discussed,” he said in reading out a statement outside the North Korean embassy here Tuesday.  

Asked by reporters whether the embassy’s second secretary has been interviewed by Malaysia police, Ri refused to answer and walked away.  

On Feb 13, Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed by two women who had wiped his face with a chemical that has since been identified as the VX nerve agent, at the KLIA2 departure hall.

He was about to leave for Macau.  

The two female suspects held in connection with the murder, Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong and Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah, are expected to be charged at the Sepang magistrate’s court on Wednesday.  

Doan was arrested on Feb 15 as she was attempting to catch a flight back to Vietnam, while Siti Aisyah was detained early the next day.  

Police have also arrested a third suspect, North Korean citizen Ri Jong-chol, and are seeking three more men.  

North Korean embassy second secretary Hyon Kwang-song, 44, was named by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar as one of the three being sought.  

Malaysian police said they would obtain a warrant of arrest for Hyon if the embassy does not hand him over within a “reasonable” time.  

North Korea has criticised Malaysia’s handling of the investigation of the case, which has threatened to spark a diplomatic row between the two countries.