Jong-nam met American spy in Langkawi, court hears

Kim's estranged half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, was killed at the airport in Kuala Lumpur.

SHAH ALAM: Kim Chol (pic), the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, met an American spy in Langkawi a few days before his death, the High Court heard. 

Kim Chol is the alias used by Kim Jong-nam whenever he travelled.

The meeting took place for two hours at an apartment on the island on Feb 9, 2017. 

This was suggested by defence lawyer Gooi Soon Seng during a cross-examination on investigating officer Asst Supt Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz on Monday (Jan 29).

The witness agreed that there was a meeting with a man but the police could not confirm his identity. 

When suggested that the man entered Malaysia on Feb 6, 2017, which was the same day Kim Chol arrived in the country and the police knew about the American's presence, the witness said: "I disagree." 

ASP Wan Azirul clarified that he did order his officers to head to Langkawi to investigate the meeting but they were unable to ascertain the discussion between the American and Kim Chol. 

The witness agreed with Gooi's suggestion that the police investigation in Langkawi was to find out about the motive of Kim Chol's murder. 

He, however, disagreed with suggestion that he was hiding information on the meeting between the men from the court and clarified that he needed more time to review his investigation papers. 

Kim Chol, who returned to Kuala Lumpur from Langkawi on Feb 12, 2017, was murdered the next day with the VX nerve agent at the KL International Airport 2 departure hall. 

ASP Wan Azirul was testifying in the trial of Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 26, and Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 29, who are jointly charged with four men still at large, with killing Kim Chol, 45, on Feb 13, 2017.

The hearing continues before Justice Azmi Ariffin on Tuesday (Jan 30).