Arrest warrant out for airline worker

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has issued a warrant of arrest for an employee of North Korean airline Air Koryo and is reques­ting the cooperation of North Korean Embassy’s Second Secretary Hyon Kwan-song as investigations into Kim Jong-nam’s murder continue.

Both men are said to be still in the country and will not be allowed to leave as the country has stepped up security checks at all border crossings.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the warrant of arrest was issued against Kim Uk-il, 37.

“We have given him time to cooperate but he has not done so. The warrant was issued to compel him to cooperate,” he said.

He also confirmed that a letter requesting Hyon’s cooperation has been sent through Wisma Putra and delivered to the embassy.

Khalid also told Reuters yesterday that “at least two” of the eight North Koreans sought in connection with the case were still in Malaysia. One, Ri Jong-chol, was arrested but released and depor­ted yesterday.

Four others left the country just after the assassination at the KLIA2 terminal on Feb 13.

Malaysian police have reques­ted help from Interpol to nab the four. An individual named Ri Ji-u, or James, is also being sought by police.

Shahriman Lockman, a senior analyst at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, said it is possible that they were all hiding in the North Korean embassy – making them virtually untouchable.

“This can go on for some time,” Shahriman said.

Officers have stepped up checks at all border checkpoints, including at jetties, airports and land routes, to stop any of the suspects skipping the country, Khalid told Reuters via text messages.