IGP: We are probing how nerve agent got into country


By M Kumar

SEPANG: Police are investigating how the highly toxic, banned nerve agent VX, identified as the chemical used in the murder of Kim Jong-nam, got into the country.

"We don't know yet (how it was brought into the country). We are trying to find out.

"But if it is a very small amount, it would have been very hard to detect," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) told reporters at the KL International Airport on Friday.

Earlier, Khalid said in a statement that the chemical used in the murder had been identified as the highly toxic VX-nerve agent.

He also said that the North Korean embassy had not responded to police's request to speak to two North Koreans believed to be connected to the murder.

On Thursday, Khalid said police would follow protocol in seeking to question Hyon Kwang-song, who has diplomatic immunity.

Police are also keen to question a staff of North Korean airline Air Koryo in its investigations.

Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed after two women swabbed his face with a chemical at KL International Airport 2 on Feb 13 as he was waiting to board a flight to Macau.

Four people have been arrested to assist in the investigations.

Related stories:

We'll follow protocol in seeking to question envoy

Nerve agent VX used in Jong-nam murder

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