Dr Subra: Jong-nam's family has 'two to three weeks' to claim body

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has given family members of Kim Jong-nam “two to three weeks” to claim the body from the Hospital Kuala Lumpur mortuary.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam (pic) said if the body is not claimed by then, the Government will have to decide on what to do next.

“We know that he (Jong-nam) has a wife and children. Now that the body has been positively identified, we hope they will respond and come forward to claim the body.

“In the absence of that, we will have to address it as a government, through the Prime Minister's Department, Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Health Ministry, and collectively come up with a decision on the way forward,” he told reporters after opening the Minister of Health Innovation and Research Award 2016 Ceremony here.

“We hope this can be resolved in two to three weeks,” he added when asked of the time frame given to the family to collect the body.

Dr Subramaniam confirmed that Jong-nam's remains are still at HKL.

Police have positively identified the body as Jong-nam, half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb 13.

The body has been released to the Health Ministry for further action.

Two foreign women have been charged with the murder.