Malaysia police say North Korea diplomat is murder suspect
February 22, 2017
Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar announced on Wednesday that investigators believe a senior official at the North Korean Embassy was involved in the airport murder of Kim Jong Nam. The diplomatic suspect holds the rank of second secretary in the embassy, Khalid said.
Khalid also stated a second individual associated with the North Korean airline was being sought for questioning.
Both suspects are still in Malaysia, he added.
"We have written to the ambassador to allow us to interview both of them. We hope that the Korean embassy will cooperate with us and allow us to interview them quickly. If not we will compel them to come to us," Khalid said.
The police "strongly believed" four suspects fled to the North Korean capital Pyongyang the day of the assassination. They currently have identified five individuals they believe were involved in the murder.
The North Korean ruler's estranged older half-brother died on February 13 while on route to the hospital after being sprayed in the face with an unidentified liquid at Kuala Lumpur International airport.
Four people have already been detained in relation to the attack, which South Korea says was carried out on orders from North Korea.
So far, no relative has come forward to claim the body of Kim. It must remain in Malaysia until identified by a family member. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
cmb/jm (Reuters, AFP)