Journalists continue to stake out at HKL morgue

KUALA LUMPUR: Just like it was in Jalan Batai, the road fronting the North Korean embassy in Bukit Damansara here, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, too, has been turned into a second home of sorts for local and foreign media.

Ever since Kim Jong-nam’s remains were brought to the hospital on Feb 15, a media circus had taken root there daily.

Dozens of camera tripods dominated the walkway opposite the morgue while journalists, a sizeable number of them from South Korea and Japan, sat in chairs under tents that provided little comfort.

They waited patiently in anticipation of the arrival of Jong-nam’s next of kin, especially his 21-year-old son Kim Han-sol, to identify his body.

However, up until now, there is no clear indication of that happening, given that Jong-nam’s family members have gone into hiding in Macau.

They are believed to be protected by a group called Cheollima Civil Defence, which claims to offer safe haven to North Koreans.

With the erratic weather conditions, the media members braved the sun and rain around the clock.

Just when their numbers started to dwindle, an announcement by the Inspector-General of Police sent many rushing back to stake out at the hospital.

On Friday, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar officially confirmed that the deceased was Jong-nam, who carried a diplomatic passport with the name “Kim Chol”.