Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|2017 murder in Malaysia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox civilian attack | title = Assassination of Kim Jong-nam | partof = | image = KLIA2 international departure hall 2016 September 1.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = KLIA2 main lobby; pictured in September 2016, the site of Nam's assassination | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | location = [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2]], [[Malaysia]] | target = Kim Jong-nam | coordinates = {{coord|2|44|35|N|101|41|10|E|region:MY_type:event|display=inline,title}} | date = {{start date |df=yes|2017|02|13}} | time = | timezone = | type = | injuries = | victim = | weapons = [[VX nerve agent]] | numparts = <!-- or | numpart = --> | dfens = <!-- or | dfen = --> | motive = | coroner = | accused = | convicted = | verdict = | convictions = One convicted of "voluntarily causing injuries by dangerous weapons or means" | charges = | litigation = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | module = }} {{History of Malaysia|expanded=Incidents}} On 13 February 2017, the eldest son of [[Kim Jong-il]] and half-brother of [[Kim Jong-un]], [[Kim Jong-nam]], was attacked with the nerve agent [[VX (nerve agent)|VX]] at [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] in [[Malaysia]]. He had been exiled from [[North Korea]] in 2003 and had been living abroad. Following his visit to the resort island [[Langkawi]], Kim Jong-nam had arrived at terminal 2 sometime before 9:00 a.m. to take a 10:50 a.m. [[AirAsia]] flight to [[Macau]]. At approximately 9:00 a.m., two women attacked Kim Jong-nam with the VX nerve agent. He died about 15 to 20 minutes later. The women were identified as Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Đoàn Thị Hương from Vietnam. Both were charged with the murder of Kim Jong-nam. The charges were dropped, although Hương pled guilty to "voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means" and received a sentence of three years and four months. Four North Korean suspects left the airport shortly after the [[assassination]] and reached [[Pyongyang]] without being arrested. Other North Koreans were arrested but were released without charge. It is widely believed that Kim Jong-nam was murdered on the orders of [[Kim Jong-un]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.brookings.edu/essay/the-education-of-kim-jong-un/ |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]|title=The education of Kim Jong-un |first=Jung H. |last=Pak |date=February 2018|quote=Kim probably also ordered the deadly attack by the application of a VX nerve agent—one of the most toxic of the chemical warfare agents—against Jong-nam, his half-brother and erstwhile competitor for the position of supreme leader of North Korea. }}</ref><ref>Patricia Bauer, [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kim-Jong-Nam Kim Jong-Nam], ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' (last updated on 6 May 2018): "analysts believed that the murder was likely to have been ordered by Kim Jong-Un."</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781108562225/type/book|title=On the Brink: Trump, Kim, and the Threat of Nuclear War|last=Jackson|first=Van|date=2018|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9781108562225|edition=1|pages=98–99|doi=10.1017/9781108562225.006|s2cid=239502111}}</ref> == Attack == Kim Jong-nam arrived in Malaysia on 6 February 2017, traveling to the resort island of [[Langkawi]] on 8 February.<ref name="reuters2">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-court/kim-jong-nam-met-u-s-national-on-malaysian-island-before-he-was-killed-police-say-idUSKBN1FI16Y |work=Reuters |date=29 January 2018 |access-date=30 January 2018 |title=Kim Jong Nam met U.S. national on Malaysian island before he was killed, police say |first=Rozanna |last=Latiff |editor-first=Clarence |editor-last=Fernandez}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |quote=In his cross examination, he grilled Mr Azirul about Kim's Langkawi meeting with a Korean-American man based in Bangkok, which was first reported by Japan's Asahi Shimbun last year. While Mr Azirul confirmed that the meeting took place at a hotel, he said the police have been unable to identify the man, who the Asahi said was a US intelligence officer. |newspaper=[[The Bangkok Post]] |author=Kyodo News |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1404030/police-kim-jong-nam-met-american-days-before-murder |title=Police: Kim Jong Nam met American days before murder |date=29 January 2018|author-link=Kyodo News }}</ref> On 13 February 2017, at about 9&nbsp;am,<ref name="BBC News 2017"/> he was attacked by two women, one of whom was Vietnamese while the other was Indonesian,<ref name=guardian_death>{{cite news|last1=McCurry |first1=Justin |title=Kim Jong-un's half-brother dies after 'attack' at airport in Malaysia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/14/kim-jong-un-half-brother-reportedly-killed-malaysia-north-korea |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214130722/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/14/kim-jong-un-half-brother-reportedly-killed-malaysia-north-korea |archive-date=14 February 2017 }}</ref> with [[VX (nerve agent)|VX nerve agent]] near an [[Airport check-in|airport self check-in]] kiosk at level 3, departure hall in KLIA 2, the low-cost carrier terminal at [[Kuala Lumpur International Airport]]<ref name="independent">{{cite news |author=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=14 February 2017 |title=Kim Jong-un's half-brother 'assassinated with poisoned needles at airport' |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/kim-jong-un-half-brother-killed-kim-jong-nam-malaysia-north-korea-leader-a7579246.html}}</ref> while waiting for a 10:50&nbsp;a.m. [[AirAsia]] flight to [[Macau]].<ref name="WSJ1"/> VX is a [[chemical weapon]] banned by the [[Chemical Weapons Convention]] of 1993. North Korea, which has not ratified the convention, is suspected of holding a stockpile.<ref name="Borger">{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=2017-02-24 |title=North Korea's use of nerve agent in murder sends a deliberate signal to foes |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/24/north-korea-use-of-chemical-weapons-kim-jong-nam-a-deliberate-signal-to-its-foes |url-status=live |access-date=2023-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224193910/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/24/north-korea-use-of-chemical-weapons-kim-jong-nam-a-deliberate-signal-to-its-foes |archive-date=24 February 2017 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="BBCNerveAgent">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39073389 |title=Kim Jong-nam killing: VX nerve agent 'found on his face' |work=BBC News |date=24 February 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224021724/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39073389 |archive-date=24 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Paddock |first=Richard C. |last2=Sang-Hun |first2=Choe |date=23 February 2017 |title=Kim Jong-nam Was Killed by VX Nerve Agent, Malaysians Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent-.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225053128/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent-.html |archive-date=25 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="not immediately confirmed">{{cite web|url=https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/EC/84/en/Malaysia_ec84_statement.pdf |title=Report on the use of a chemical weapon in the death of a DPRK national |publisher=Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416162003/https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/EC/84/en/Malaysia_ec84_statement.pdf |archive-date=16 April 2017 }}</ref> Malaysian police said that Kim had alerted an airport receptionist, saying that "someone had grabbed him from behind and splashed a liquid on his face" and a woman "covered his face with a cloth laced with a liquid".<ref name="AP1"/><ref name="BBC News 2017">{{cite web|title=North Korean leader's brother Kim Jong-nam 'killed' in Malaysia' |work=BBC News |date=14 February 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38971655 |access-date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214134205/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38971655 |archive-date=14 February 2017 }}</ref> A resuscitation device was strapped to Kim's face, and he was then transported by [[stretcher]] through the airport to reach an [[ambulance]].<ref name="NP">{{cite news |author= |author-link= |date=9 October 2017 |title=Video shows North Korean motionless on gurney after attack |newspaper=[[The National Post]] |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/trial-in-kim-murder-resuming-with-visit-to-malaysian-lab |access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Kim was treated at the airport in the Menara Medical Clinic by nurse Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohd Sofi and Dr. Nik Mohd Adzrul Ariff Raja Azlan, who later testified that he was sweating, in pain and unresponsive.<ref name="AP1">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/witnesses-recount-n-korean-leaders-brothers-last-moments/2017/10/02/5f2ebabe-a777-11e7-9a98-07140d2eed02_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002172115/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/witnesses-recount-n-korean-leaders-brothers-last-moments/2017/10/02/5f2ebabe-a777-11e7-9a98-07140d2eed02_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 October 2017 |title=Witnesses recount N. Korean leader's brother's last moments |first=Eileen |last=Ng |date=2 October 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] |title=Kim Jong Nam murder trial: Victim showed signs of poisoning, says doctor |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/kim-jong-nam-murder-trial-victim-showed-signs-of-poisoning-says-doctor |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017 |first=Trinna |last=Leong}}</ref> At the clinic, Kim was given 1&nbsp;mg of [[atropine]], and also [[adrenaline]].<ref name="ST1"/> Kim required [[tracheal intubation]], and the [[saliva]], [[vomit]] and [[blood]] in his mouth needed to be suctioned out.<ref name="ST1"/> He died about 15 to 20 minutes after the attack while being transferred from the airport to the [[Putrajaya Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/26/asia/kim-jong-nam-death-autopsy/index.html |title=Kim Jong Nam died within 20 minutes, autopsy shows |first=Angela |last=Dewan |date=17 February 2017 |website=CNN |access-date=20 March 2022}}</ref><ref name= guardian_death /><ref name="20minutedeath">{{cite news|last1=Fifield |first1=Anna |title=North Korean leader's half brother suffered a 'very painful death,' Malaysian officials say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korean-leaders-half-brother-suffered-a-very-painful-death-within-20-minutes-malaysian-officials-say/2017/02/26/f33b7006-6e4e-415a-98e6-846b27fdc9e6_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=26 February 2017 |access-date=26 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227041735/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korean-leaders-half-brother-suffered-a-very-painful-death-within-20-minutes-malaysian-officials-say/2017/02/26/f33b7006-6e4e-415a-98e6-846b27fdc9e6_story.html |archive-date=27 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-murder-idUSKBN15V1BO |title=Murder at the airport: the brazen attack on North Korean leader's half brother |first1=Praveen |last1=Menon |first2=Emily |last2=Chow |work=Reuters |date=16 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216131317/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-murder-idUSKBN15V1BO |archive-date=16 February 2017 }}</ref> As he was traveling under the pseudonym "Kim Chol", Malaysian officials did not immediately formally confirm that Kim Jong-nam was the man killed.<ref name="not immediately confirmed"/><ref name="BBC_15Feb_1">{{cite news|title=Kim Jong-nam death: Malaysia police hold female suspect |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38980474 |access-date=15 February 2017 |work=BBC News |date=15 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215104541/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38980474 |archive-date=15 February 2017 }}</ref> Kim's extensive [[Facebook]] usage under this pseudonym since at least 2010, and usage of commercial email services for communications, may have made it easier for North Korean agents to seek his whereabouts and track his movements.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ryall |first1=Julian |title=Did Kim Jong-nam's Facebook fixation lead to his death? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/16/kim-jong-nams-facebook-fixation-may-have-aided-assailants/ |access-date=2 March 2017 |work=The Telegraph |date=16 February 2017 |location=Tokyo, Japan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302112529/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/16/kim-jong-nams-facebook-fixation-may-have-aided-assailants/ |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}</ref> At the time of his death, Kim's backpack contained approximately $100,000 in cash and he was carrying four [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea passport|North Korean passports]], all bearing the name Kim Chol.<ref name="TMI">{{cite news |url=https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/19995/ |publisher=The Malaysian Insight |title=Jong-nam trial told police found no footage of practice runs |first=Bede |last=Hong |date=25 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025174311/https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/19995/ |archive-date=25 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="JT1"/> On 15 February, Malaysian police arrested 28-year-old Vietnamese woman Đoàn Thị Hương at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in connection with the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3006003/doan-thi-huong-vietnamese-woman-linked-kim-jong-nam-murder|title=Doan Thi Huong, Vietnamese woman linked to Kim Jong-nam murder, to be freed on May 3 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=13 April 2019 |access-date=1 October 2019 |quote=High Court judge Azmi Ariffin sentenced Huong to three years and four months in jail, running from the date of her arrest on February 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name= "BBC_15Feb_1" /> Hương was identified through [[CCTV]] footage.<ref name= "Holmes.15Feb" /> On 16 February, a 25-year-old Indonesian woman named Siti Aisyah was arrested and identified as the second female suspect.<ref>{{cite web |last=McGuinness |first=Alan |date=16 February 2017 |title=Kim Jong-Nam killing: Second woman arrested in Malaysia |url=http://news.sky.com/story/kim-jong-nam-killing-second-female-suspect-arrested-10769703 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216033344/http://news.sky.com/story/kim-jong-nam-killing-second-female-suspect-arrested-10769703 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017 |work=Sky News}}</ref> Aisyah's boyfriend, a 26-year-old Malaysian named Muhammad Farid bin Jalaluddin,{{refn|group=nb|Alternatively transliterated as Muhammad Farid Jalaluddin.<ref name="TMI"/>}} was also arrested on 16 February to assist in the investigation.<ref name="TMI"/><ref name=NBC2017-02-16a>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/malaysian-police-arrest-2nd-woman-suspected-death-kim-jong-un-n721596 |title=Kim Jong Nam's Death: 3rd Arrest in Dictator's Half-Brother Case |first1=Stella |last1=Kim |first2=Chapman |last2=Bell |work=NBC News |date=16 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216115001/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/malaysian-police-arrest-2nd-woman-suspected-death-kim-jong-un-n721596 |archive-date=16 February 2017 }}</ref> Hương told the police that she was instructed by four men who were traveling with them to spray Kim with an unidentified liquid while Aisyah held and covered his face with a handkerchief as part of a prank.<ref name="Free Malaysia Today"/> CCTV footage showed that Hương and Aisyah rushed to separate restrooms after carrying out the attack, and that they headed to the airport taxi stand after leaving the restrooms.<ref name="AP2">{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/e66b502f4d364ae997de2e4ed88f1134|title=Video of fatal attack on Kim Jong Nam shown at women's trial|author=Eileen Ng |work=[[Associated Press]] News|date=11 October 2017 |access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> Hương was seen leaving the airport by taxi at around 9:30&nbsp;a.m.<ref name="WSJ1">{{cite web |last1=Otto |first1=Ben |last2=Ngui |first2=Yantoultra |date=23 October 2017 |title=How the Hit Team Came Together to Kill Kim Jong Nam |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/emerging-details-point-to-north-korean-plot-in-scions-killing-1487787023 |access-date=1 October 2019 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> Hương claimed that after she returned to look for the others, they had disappeared and thus she decided to head back to the airport.<ref name="Free Malaysia Today">{{cite news|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/02/15/killing-of-north-korean-suspect-thought-she-was-playing-a-prank/ |title=Killing of North Korean: Suspect thought she was playing a prank |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=15 February 2017 |access-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215193420/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/02/15/killing-of-north-korean-suspect-thought-she-was-playing-a-prank/ |archive-date=15 February 2017 }}</ref> On 17 February, police arrested a 46-year-old North Korean man named Ri Jong-chol.<ref name="4th suspect"/><ref>{{cite web |author=Zolkepli |first=Farik |date=18 February 2017 |title=Fourth person arrested in Jong-nam murder probe |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/18/jong-nam-murder-man-arrested/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218150850/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/18/jong-nam-murder-man-arrested/ |archive-date=18 February 2017 |access-date=18 February 2017 |work=The Star}}</ref> He was described as an IT worker for Tombo Enterprise, living in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |author=Su-ji |first=Park |date=21 February 2017 |title=One suspect in Kim Jong-nam's killing was middleman buying commodities in Malaysia |url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/783597.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222044117/http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/783597.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |publisher=The Hankyoreh}}</ref> == International reactions == === South Korea === Kim Myung-yeon, a spokesperson for [[Liberty Korea Party|South Korea's ruling party]], described the killing as a "naked example of Kim Jong-un's reign of terror."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sang-hun |first1=Choe |title=Kim Jong-un's Half Brother Is Reported Assassinated in Malaysia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/world/asia/kim-jong-un-brother-killed-malaysia.html |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=14 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170214161934/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/world/asia/kim-jong-un-brother-killed-malaysia.html?_r=0 |archive-date=14 February 2017 }}</ref> The South Korean government drew a parallel with the [[Jang Song-thaek#Execution|execution of Kim Jong-un's own uncle]] and others.<ref name="NYT Feb 15">{{cite news|title=Kim Jong-nam, the Hunted Heir to a Dictator Who Met Death in Exile |first1=Sang-hun |last1=Choe |first2=Richard C. |last2=Paddock |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York |date=15 February 2017 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216053304/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/15/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea.html |archive-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=live |quote="there has been a standing order" to assassinate his half brother, Lee Byung-ho, the director of the South's National Intelligence Service, said during a closed-door briefing at the National Assembly, according to lawmakers who attended it."This is not a calculated action to remove Kim Jong-nam because he was a challenge to power per se, but rather reflected Kim Jong-un's paranoia," Mr. Lee was quoted as saying. Kim Jong-un wanted his half brother killed, Mr. Lee said, and there was an assassination attempt against him in 2012. Mr. Kim was so afraid of assassins that he begged for his life in a letter to his half brother in 2012. "Please withdraw the order to punish me and my family," Mr. Kim was quoted as saying in the letter. "We have nowhere to hide. The only way to escape is to choose suicide." (...) }}</ref><ref name="NYT Feb 21-b">{{cite news|title=Kim Jong-nam Investigators Seek to Question North Korean Embassy Officer |first1=Richard C. |last1=Paddock |first2=Gerry |last2=Mullany |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-killing-malaysia-north-korea.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York|date=21 February 2017 |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222112514/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-killing-malaysia-north-korea.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The acting [[President of South Korea]], [[Hwang Kyo-ahn]], said that if the murder was confirmed to be masterminded by [[North Korea]], that would clearly depict the brutality and inhumanity of the regime.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|last1=Holmes |first1=Oliver |title=Kim Jong-nam was assassinated, say US and South Korean officials |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/15/kim-jong-nam-assassinated-south-korea-us-officials |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309145635/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/15/kim-jong-nam-assassinated-south-korea-us-officials |archive-date=9 March 2017 }}</ref> === United States === North Korea was relisted as a [[State Sponsors of Terrorism|state sponsor of terrorism]] by the [[United States]] on 20 November 2017, with the assassination cited as one of the reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/us/politics/north-korea-trump-terror.html|title=Trump Returns North Korea to List of State Sponsors of Terrorism|author1=Michael D. Shear|author2=David E. Sanger|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 November 2017|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref> In March 2018, the [[United States Department of State]] imposed additional sanctions on North Korea, having asserted that North Korea used VX nerve agent to assassinate Kim Jong-nam.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-usa/u-s-imposes-sanctions-on-pyongyang-over-slaying-of-north-korean-leaders-half-brother-idUSKCN1GJ031 |title=U.S. sanctions North Korea for killing of leader's half-brother |date=7 March 2018 |work=Reuters |access-date=7 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/03/279079.htm |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |title=Imposition of Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act Sanctions on North Korea |first=Heather |last=Nauert |date=6 March 2018 |quote=On February 22, 2018, the United States determined under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act) that the Government of North Korea used the chemical warfare agent VX to assassinate Kim Jong Nam, in the Kuala Lumpur airport.}}</ref> On 10 June 2019, after the trial, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that former US officials stated Kim had been a [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] source. A book by [[Anna Fifield]], ''[[The Washington Post]]'' bureau chief in Beijing, had earlier reported this, stating he had been previously filmed abroad with a US intelligence agent, and had carried a backpack that contained $120,000 in cash.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/kim-jong-nam-half-brother-north-korea-leader-was-cia-informant|title=Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader, 'was a CIA informant'|last=McCurry|first=Justin|date=2019-06-11|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-11|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=wsj-20190610>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-korean-leaders-slain-half-brother-was-said-to-have-been-a-cia-informant-11560203662 |title=North Korean Leader's Slain Half Brother Was a CIA Source |author=Warren P. Strobel |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=10 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Fifield | first = Anna | year = 2019 | orig-year = 2019 | chapter = Chapter 13 The unwanted brother | title = The Great Successor: The secret rise and rule of Kim Jong Un | format = eBook | language = English | edition = First | publisher = John Murray | isbn = 978-1-529-38724-7 | url = https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Successor-Secret-Rise-Rule-ebook/dp/B07L98VNYH/}}</ref> === Apology from North Korean officials to Vietnam === On 12 December 2018, it was reported that North Korean officials had informally apologized to Vietnam for involving a Vietnamese woman in the assassination following Vietnam's demands for an official apology and threats to sever [[North Korea–Vietnam relations|diplomatic ties]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/m/svc/article.html?contid=2018121201320|title=N.Korea 'Apologized to Vietnam Over Kim Jong-nam Killing'|author=Ahn Jun-yong|newspaper=The Chosun Ilbo|date=12 December 2018|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212064523/http://english.chosun.com/m/svc/article.html?contid=2018121201320|archive-date=12 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> === Other reactions === The Executive Council of the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]] (OPCW) expressed "grave concern" over the incident and called for those responsible for the use of chemical weapons to be held accountable.<ref>{{cite web |title=OPCW Executive Council Condemns Chemical Weapons Use in Fatal Incident in Malaysia |url=https://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2017/03/opcw-executive-council-condemns-chemical-weapons-use-fatal-incident |access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref> == Autopsy == An [[autopsy]] was conducted despite North Korean diplomats objecting to any such procedure on Kim's body.<ref name="Holmes.15Feb">{{cite news|last=Holmes |first=Oliver |title=Kim Jong-nam death: Malaysian police arrest female suspect |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/15/kim-jong-nam-malaysian-police-arrest-female-suspect-over-death |access-date=15 February 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=15 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215112927/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/15/kim-jong-nam-malaysian-police-arrest-female-suspect-over-death |archive-date=15 February 2017 }}</ref> Malaysian officials later commented that the autopsy proceeded as the North Korean diplomats failed to submit a formal protest.<ref name= NBC2017-02-16a /> A post-mortem on Kim was conducted on 15 February at the [[Kuala Lumpur Hospital]] mortuary in the presence of several North Korean officials,<ref name="star klmortuary">{{cite news|title=North Korean embassy cars seen at KL hospital mortuary |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/15/cars-north-korean-embassy-seen-at-hkl-mortuary/ |access-date=15 February 2017 |work=The Star |date=15 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217142925/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/15/cars-north-korean-embassy-seen-at-hkl-mortuary/ |archive-date=17 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> and concluded the following day with formally confirming the identity of Kim's body.<ref name= NBC2017-02-16a /> The autopsy was conducted by [[pathologist]] Mohamad Shah Mahmood of Kuala Lumpur Hospital, who testified that Kim's [[lungs]], [[brain]], [[liver]] and [[spleen]] were affected by the poison.<ref name="HT">{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003120056/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/kim-jong-nam-suffered-extensive-organ-damage-trial-hears/story-RtmUZM2cuA8qNsvE1BdWmO.html |archive-date=3 October 2017 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/kim-jong-nam-suffered-extensive-organ-damage-trial-hears/story-RtmUZM2cuA8qNsvE1BdWmO.html |newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]] |author=Agence France-Presse |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017 |title=Kim Jong-Nam suffered extensive organ damage, trial hears|author-link=Agence France-Presse }}</ref> [[Clinical chemistry|Chemical pathologist]] Nur Ashikin Othman{{refn|group=nb|Alternatively transliterated as Nur Asyikin Osman.<ref name="ST1"/>}} testified that Kim's [[urine]] showed the effects of being exposed to the poison.<ref name="HT"/> Low levels of [[cholinesterase]] indicated that Jong-nam had been exposed to an insecticide or nerve agent.<ref name="ST1">{{cite news |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/kim-jong-nam-had-no-pulse-when-he-arrived-at-klia-airport-clinic-doctor-tells-court |newspaper=[[The Straits Times]] |title=Kim Jong Nam had 'constricted, pinpoint pupils' and other symptoms of VX poisoning, court hears |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017 |first=Trinna |last=Leong}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=[[UPI]] |quote=Nur Asyikin Osman, a chemical pathologist with the Malaysian government, said in her court testimony a blood analysis of Kim indicated the enzyme cholinesterase was at a very low level of 344 units per liter, when the normal level is 5,300 units per liter, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. |title=Kim Jong Nam 'red' and 'sweating' after attack, witnesses say |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/10/03/Kim-Jong-Nam-red-and-sweating-after-attack-witnesses-say/9211507037447/ |first=Elizabeth |last=Shim |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=6 October 2017}}</ref> Forensic consultant Dr. Nurliza bte Abdullah testified that Jong-nam's [[pupil constriction]], and the [[feces]] in his underwear, suggested he had been poisoned.<ref>{{cite news |quote=Nurliza Abdullah, a government doctor who conducted the autopsy on Kim's body, told the court Monday that the pupil constriction and the large excrement found in Kim's underwear both pointed to poisoning. |publisher=[[Yahoo News]] |author=The Associated Press |title=Doctor: Kim Jong Nam's underwear soiled, pupils contracted |date=27 November 2017 |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/doctor-kim-jong-nams-underwear-soiled-pupils-contracted-060101132.html |author-link=The Associated Press |access-date=27 November 2017 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928123729/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/doctor-kim-jong-nams-underwear-soiled-pupils-contracted-060101132.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |quote=Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) medical forensic consultant, Dr Nurliza Abdullah, 52, who did a post mortem on Kim Chol's body, said the large amount of faeces found on Kim Chol's underwear was sign of poisoning. [...] Questioned by DPP Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin during examination-in-chief, Dr Nurliza said there was also contraction of the victim's pupils, which was also a sign of poisoning. |newspaper=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |title=Kim Jong-nam's underwear soiled with faeces, trial told |date=27 November 2017 |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/27/kim-jong-nam-trial-trousers-soiled-with-faeces/}}</ref> On 24 February, Malaysia's police chief [[Khalid Abu Bakar]] announced that a post-mortem toxicology report had found traces of the [[VX (nerve agent)|nerve agent VX]] on Kim's face.<ref name= "BBCNerveAgent" /> According to experts, the use of VX gas may explain why two assailants were involved, because each assailant "could have wiped two or more [[Precursor (chemistry)|precursors]]" in Kim's face.<ref name= "Borger"/> This is referred to as a [[binary chemical weapon]].<ref name="McCurry">{{cite web|first=Justin |last=McCurry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/24/what-is-vx-nerve-agent-killed-kim-jong-nam-north-korea |title=What is the VX nerve agent that killed North Korean Kim Jong-nam? |work=The Guardian |date=20 February 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224050844/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/24/what-is-vx-nerve-agent-killed-kim-jong-nam-north-korea |archive-date=24 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=David |date=February 24, 2017 |title=VX Nerve Agent in North Korean's Murder: How Does It Work? |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vx-nerve-agent-in-north-koreans-murder-how-does-it-work/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225052359/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vx-nerve-agent-in-north-koreans-murder-how-does-it-work/ |archive-date=25 February 2017 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> This method could ensure that the assailants were not themselves killed by the poison, which can be fatal in very small amounts; additionally, smuggling the chemical components into Malaysia separately could have helped avoid detection.<ref name= "Borger"/><ref name= "McCurry" /><ref name="WMD">{{Cite news |last=Paddock |first=Richard C. |last2=Sang-Hun |first2=Choe |last3=Wade |first3=Nicholas |date=2017-02-24 |title=In Kim Jong-nam’s Death, North Korea Lets Loose a Weapon of Mass Destruction |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/world/asia/north-korea-kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225091122/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/24/world/asia/north-korea-kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent.html |archive-date=25 February 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Aisyah reported she vomited in the taxi afterward and has continued to feel unwell.<ref name= 20minutedeath /> Chemical weapons experts Jean-Pascal Zanders and Richard Guthrie noted that the reported effects were not entirely consistent with the potency of VX—Kim was able to walk to the medical station without suffering spasms, paramedics were not affected, the assailants survived and there were no other reports of injury even though the scene of the attack was not cleaned for over a week. VX degrades rapidly in storage and North Korea's supplies are believed to be several years old, which could explain the apparent weakness of the chemical.<ref name="NewSci">{{cite news |last=Mackenzie |first=Debora |date=24 February 2017 |title=Was Kim Jong-nam killed by VX nerve gas? Doesn't look like it |newspaper=New Scientist |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2122587-was-kim-jong-nam-killed-by-vx-nerve-gas-doesnt-look-like-it/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227065532/https://www.newscientist.com/article/2122587-was-kim-jong-nam-killed-by-vx-nerve-gas-doesnt-look-like-it/ |archive-date=27 February 2017}}</ref> On 10 March, police completed the autopsy, confirming that the deceased was Kim Jong-nam based on DNA provided by his son [[Kim Han-sol]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldman |first=Russell |date=2017-03-15 |title=DNA Confirms Assassination Victim Was Half Brother of Kim Jong-un, Malaysia Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-dna-malaysia.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317001842/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-dna-malaysia.html |archive-date=17 March 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and the body was handed to the [[Ministry of Health (Malaysia)|Ministry of Health]] for further action.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 March 2017 |title=Malaysia confirms 'Kim Chol' is Kim Jong Nam: IGP Khalid |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-confirms-kim-chol-is-kim-jong-nam-igp-khalid/3584940.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310105643/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-confirms-kim-chol-is-kim-jong-nam-igp-khalid/3584940.html |archive-date=10 March 2017 |access-date=10 March 2017 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref> The Health Ministry said they would then give Kim's family two to three weeks to claim his body,<ref>{{cite web |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=13 March 2017 |title=Malaysia says it will give Kim's family time to claim body |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-give-kims-family-time-claim-body-46087418 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313085323/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-give-kims-family-time-claim-body-46087418 |archive-date=13 March 2017 |access-date=13 March 2017 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> with the body having been [[embalming|embalmed]] to preserve it during the period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/14/malaysia-says-body-north-korean-kim-jong-nam-embalmed-preserve/ |title=Malaysia says body of North Korean Kim Jong-nam embalmed to 'preserve' it |agency=Associated Press |publisher=The Telegraph |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316220354/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/14/malaysia-says-body-north-korean-kim-jong-nam-embalmed-preserve/ |archive-date=16 March 2017 }}</ref> The family, however, declined to take the body and gave the Malaysian authorities permission to manage the remains.<ref>{{cite web |author=Zolkepli |first=Farik |date=16 March 2017 |title='Jong-nam's family has given Malaysia permission to manage his remains' |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/16/jong-nam-remains-family/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316083510/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/16/jong-nam-remains-family/ |archive-date=16 March 2017 |access-date=16 March 2017 |work=The Star}}</ref> Over objections of Kim Han-sol, the body was flown to Pyongyang on 31 March.<ref>{{cite news |last=Norikyo |first=Masatomo |date=2 July 2017 |title=Kim Jong Nam's son did not want body handed over to N. Korea |newspaper=Asahi Shimbun |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201707020014.html |access-date=5 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702064206/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201707020014.html |archive-date=2 July 2017}}</ref> Kim Jong-nam's blazer, backpack and watch were initially submitted to a police chemistry department for analysis, but subsequently returned to officials from the North Korean embassy.<ref name="JT1">{{cite news |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/12/asia-pacific/murdered-north-korean-kim-jong-nam-100000-backpack-police-witness-says/ |title=Murdered North Korean Kim Jong Nam had $100,000 in backpack, police witness says |agency=Reuters |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=12 October 2017}}</ref> === Diplomatic protest === Following Malaysia's refusal to release the body immediately, North Korea's ambassador Kang Chol accused Malaysia of collaborating with the country's enemies over the assassination of Kim Jong-nam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/18/north-korea-accuses-malaysia-of-jong-nam-body/ |title=North Korea will reject autopsy report, says ambassador |first=M |last=Kumar |work=The Star |date=18 February 2017 |access-date=18 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218045655/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/18/north-korea-accuses-malaysia-of-jong-nam-body/ |archive-date=18 February 2017 }}</ref> The ambassador said they would reject the outcome of the post-mortem conducted "on its citizen without permission" and perceived the decision as a "violation of human rights" and thus would lodge a complaint to the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ).<ref name="4th suspect">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/18/north-korean-passport-holder-arrested-malaysia-killing-kim-jong/ |title=North Korean man arrested in Malaysia over killing of Kim Jong-nam as second autopsy to be conducted |first=Julian |last=Ryall |work=The Telegraph |date=18 February 2017 |access-date=18 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218062215/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/18/north-korean-passport-holder-arrested-malaysia-killing-kim-jong/ |archive-date=18 February 2017 }}</ref> The ambassador was summoned by the government of Malaysia on 20 February, while the Malaysian ambassador to North Korea was recalled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/malaysia-north-korea-row-escalates-kim-jong-nam-170220033146607.html |title=Malaysia-North Korea row escalates over Kim Jong-nam |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=20 February 2017 |access-date=20 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222040532/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/malaysia-north-korea-row-escalates-kim-jong-nam-170220033146607.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The ambassador then responded that they could not trust the investigation conducted by the Malaysian police, noting there had been no evidence of the cause of death even a week after the attack. He also proposed that North Korea and Malaysia open a joint investigation together in order to prevent influence from South Korea which, he said, was trying to malign North Korea as the party responsible for the killing.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fifield |first=Anna |date=20 February 2017 |title=North Korea says Malaysia can't be trusted to investigate the killing of leader's half brother |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korea-says-malaysia-cant-be-trusted-to-investigate-the-killing-of-leaders-half-brother/2017/02/20/7f0cccb4-f740-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=20 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221011136/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korea-says-malaysia-cant-be-trusted-to-investigate-the-killing-of-leaders-half-brother/2017/02/20/7f0cccb4-f740-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html |archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> Malaysian Prime Minister [[Najib Razak]] responded to the ambassador that his country would be objective during the investigation, rejecting the request for joint investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Latiff |first=Rozanna |last2=Sipalan |first2=Joseph |date=20 February 2017 |title=Malaysian PM says probe into airport killing will be fair |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-idUSKBN15Z06L |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614162420/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-idUSKBN15Z06L |archive-date=14 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/02/214081/jong-nam-assassination-najib-says-no-n-korea-demand-joint-investigation |title=Jong-nam assassination: Najib says 'no' to N. Korea demand for joint investigation |first=Adrian |last=Lai |work=New Straits Times |date=20 February 2017 |access-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222053706/http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/02/214081/jong-nam-assassination-najib-says-no-n-korea-demand-joint-investigation |archive-date=22 February 2017 }}</ref> On 22 February, Malaysian police said there was evidence of an attempted break-in at the mortuary where Kim's body was being held.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/cops-say-detected-bids-to-break-into-mortuary-holding-kim-jong-nam-body |title=Cops say detected bids to break into mortuary holding Kim Jong-nam body |last=Kumar |first=Kamles |work=Malay Mail |date=22 February 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223093152/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/cops-say-detected-bids-to-break-into-mortuary-holding-kim-jong-nam-body |archive-date=23 February 2017 }}</ref> The North Korean government rejected all findings, accused the Malaysian police of "fabricating evidence" in collusion with South Korea and demanded the release of the three people being held in connection with the death.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sang-hun |first=Choe |author2=Paddock |first2=Richard C. |author3=Doan |first3=Chau |author4=Abdurachman |first4=Fira |date=23 February 2017 |title=Kim Jong-nam Evidence Being Fabricated by Malaysia, North Korea Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea-malaysia.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226070043/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea-malaysia.html |archive-date=26 February 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> ==North Korean–Malaysian dispute== {{main|Malaysia–North Korea relations}} {{Najib Razak sidebar}} On 28 February, the North Korean government dispatched a high level delegation to Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea sends high powered envoy to solve issues with Malaysia |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/archive/2178128-DTARCH430521 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=The Sun |language=en-MY}}</ref> North Korea said the claim that VX nerve agent was used to kill one of its citizens was "absurd" and lacked scientific basis, portraying it as an allegation jointly made by the United States and South Korea to tarnish its image,<ref>{{cite news |author1=Kim |first=Jack |author2= |date=1 March 2017 |title=North Korea says claim its citizen killed in Malaysia by VX agent 'absurd' |work=Reuters |editor-last=Fernandez |editor-first=Clarence |url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN168422?il=0 |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302120513/http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN168422?il=0 |archive-date=2 March 2017}}</ref> adding that the death was caused by a "heart attack" as Kim Jong-nam has a record of heart disease. The North Koreans stressed that if it was indeed caused by the chemical, it should be proven by the [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/north-korea-says-kim-jong-nam-likely-died-heart-attack-n728041 |title=North Korea Says Kim Jong Nam Likely Died of a Heart Attack |first=Alexander |last=Smith |work=NBC News |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302151453/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/north-korea-says-kim-jong-nam-likely-died-heart-attack-n728041 |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}</ref> Malaysian police immediately rejected the North Korean claims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.bernama.com/index.php?lang=en&sid=newsdetail&news_id=1334366 |title=IGP Dismisses Claim That Kim Chol Died of a Heart Attack |publisher=Bernama |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302162008/http://m.bernama.com/index.php?lang=en&sid=newsdetail&news_id=1334366 |archive-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in a statement released by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia|Malaysian Foreign Ministry]], the country said it was already co-operating with OPCW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/press-release/-/asset_publisher/FCk0/content/press-release-:-the-use-of-a-chemical-weapon-in-the-death-of-a-dprk-national?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fpress-release |title=The use of a chemical weapon in the death of a DPRK national |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia |date=3 March 2017 |access-date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303044013/http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/press-release/-/asset_publisher/FCk0/content/press-release-%3A-the-use-of-a-chemical-weapon-in-the-death-of-a-dprk-national?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fpress-release |archive-date= 3 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="not immediately confirmed"/> Malaysia announced that from 6 March they would cancel [[Visa policy of Malaysia|visa]]-free entry for North Koreans, citing "security issues".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/02/kim-jong-nam-malaysia-scraps-visa-free-entry-for-north-koreans |title=Kim Jong-nam death: Malaysia scraps visa-free entry for North Koreans |agency=Associated Press |work=The Guardian |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170307070049/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/02/kim-jong-nam-malaysia-scraps-visa-free-entry-for-north-koreans |archive-date=7 March 2017 }}</ref> On 4 March, the North Korean ambassador Kang Chol was declared ''[[persona non grata]]'' and asked to leave within 48 hours<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/node/431343 |title=N. Korean ambassador given 48 hours to leave Malaysia |first=Ashwin |last=Kumar |work=The Sun |date=4 March 2017 |access-date=4 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304174816/http://www.thesundaily.my/node/431343 |archive-date=4 March 2017 }}</ref> with a similar move having been imposed by North Korea towards the Malaysian ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4691634/north-korea-malaysia-kim-jong-nam/ |title=North Korea Has Expelled Malaysia's Ambassador as Tensions Over Kim Jong Nam's Death Mount |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Time |date=6 March 2017 |access-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306151225/http://time.com/4691634/north-korea-malaysia-kim-jong-nam/ |archive-date=6 March 2017 }}</ref> The North Korean authorities also reacted on 7 March by barring all Malaysian citizens in North Korea from leaving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/07/pyongyang-malaysia-ban-report/ |title=Pyongyang bans Malaysians from leaving N. Korea |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=The Star |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=7 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307065431/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/07/pyongyang-malaysia-ban-report/ |archive-date=7 March 2017 }}</ref> Malaysian authorities imposed reciprocal measures, prohibiting North Korean citizens from leaving Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39189381 |title=Kim Jong-nam death: Malaysia and N Korea in tit-for-tat exit bans |work=[[BBC]] |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=7 March 2017 }}</ref> On 30 March, former-Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that all Malaysians in North Korea as well as North Koreans in Malaysia would be allowed to return to their home countries after the receipt of a letter from Kim's family requesting his remains be returned to North Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/kim-body-to-be-sent-to-pyongyang-malaysians-freed-najib |title=Kim body to be sent to Pyongyang, Malaysians freed: Najib |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Business Times |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=31 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330160818/http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/kim-body-to-be-sent-to-pyongyang-malaysians-freed-najib |archive-date=30 March 2017 }}</ref> === Attempts to restore diplomatic relations === Following the [[2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit|2018 North Korea–United States Summit]] held in [[Singapore]] on 12 June 2018, the new Malaysian-led government of [[Pakatan Harapan]] under Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] said<blockquote>''"the world should not treat North Korea leader Kim Jong-un with skepticism and instead learn from his new attitude towards bringing about peace".<ref>{{cite web |author=Loh |first=Jonathan |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia PM Mahathir says the world can learn from Kim Jong Un's 'new attitude' and decision to meet Trump |url=https://www.businessinsider.my/dr-mahathir-praises-kim-jong-un-new-attitude-decision-trump-world-learn/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615083238/https://www.businessinsider.my/dr-mahathir-praises-kim-jong-un-new-attitude-decision-trump-world-learn/ |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=13 February 2019 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>''</blockquote>In a joint press conference in [[Tokyo]], Japan, he said: "We hoped for a successful outcome from the historic meeting",<ref>{{cite web |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia, Japan hope for successful US – North Korea summit |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/379164/malaysia-japan-hope-successful-us-north-korea-summit |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=New Straits Times |publisher=}}</ref> adding that "Malaysia will re-open their embassy in North Korea as an end to the diplomatic row over the assassination of Kim Jong-nam".<ref>{{cite news |author1=Menon |first=Praveen |author2=Schuettler |first2=Darren |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia to reopen embassy in North Korea: Mahathir |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia/malaysia-to-reopen-embassy-in-north-korea-mahathir-idUSKBN1J80O2 |access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref> On 13 February 2019, Mahathir said that Malaysia will settle its problem with [[North Korea]] soon after the [[2019 North Korea–United States Vietnam Summit]] held in [[Hanoi]], [[Vietnam]] on 27-28 February 2019 but after the changing of leadership, no major statement has been issued since.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 February 2019 |title=Malaysia to settle its problem with North Korea – Dr M |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2019/02/13/malaysia-to-settle-its-problem-with-north-korea-dr-m/ |access-date=13 February 2019 |work=The Borneo Post |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Nanako |first=Takashi |date=13 February 2019 |title=North Korea and ASEAN heal ties torn by Kim brother's murder |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/North-Korea-and-ASEAN-heal-ties-torn-by-Kim-brother-s-murder |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214144841/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/North-Korea-and-ASEAN-heal-ties-torn-by-Kim-brother-s-murder |archive-date=14 February 2019 |access-date=13 February 2019 |website=Nikkei Asian Review |publisher=}}</ref> == Further investigations == According to lead police investigator Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz, Kim Jong-nam told a friend that he feared his life was in danger six months before the assassination.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-court/my-life-is-in-danger-north-korea-leaders-half-brother-quoted-as-saying-months-before-poisoning-idUSKCN1GB1CI |work=[[Reuters]] |quote=Kim arrived in Malaysia on Feb. 6 last year and was picked up at the airport by the driver of friend Tomie Yoshio, lead police investigator Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz said. The driver was instructed to take Kim to his lodgings and other places he wanted to go after Kim told Yoshio his "life was in danger" during a prior visit to Malaysia. |title='My life is in danger,' North Korea leader's half-brother quoted as saying months before poisoning |first=Rozanna |last=Latiff |editor-first=Nick |editor-last=Macfie |date=27 February 2018}}</ref> One of the suspects, Siti Aisyah, had been in Malaysia at least a day before the attack reportedly to celebrate her birthday with her friends.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sidhu |first=Sandi |author2=Westcott |first2=Ben |date=28 February 2017 |title=Indonesian suspect partied night before Kim Jong Nam murder |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/28/asia/kim-jong-nam-siti-aisyah-party/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304042414/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/28/asia/kim-jong-nam-siti-aisyah-party/index.html |archive-date=4 March 2017 |access-date=4 March 2017 |work=CNN}}</ref> Aisyah was a divorced mother who worked as a spa masseuse in Kuala Lumpur. She regularly returned to Indonesia to meet her mother and son. She told her mother that she found a better job as an actor in prank video for the Chinese market.<ref name="cna170319"/> After Hương and Aisyah were arrested, they claimed they thought they were participating in a prank.<ref name="aljazeera">{{cite web|title=Malaysia to charge women with murder of Kim Jong-nam |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/malaysia-charge-women-murder-kim-jong-nam-170228065659451.html |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=1 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301011227/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/malaysia-charge-women-murder-kim-jong-nam-170228065659451.html |archive-date=1 March 2017 }}</ref> According to both suspects, they were told to play harmless tricks on people in the vicinity for a prank TV show, one target being Kim Jong-nam.<ref name="globe">{{cite web |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=28 February 2017 |title=Malaysia charges two women in death of Kim Jong-nam |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/north-korean-diplomats-in-malaysia-seek-kim-jong-nams-body/article34157158/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306034317/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/north-korean-diplomats-in-malaysia-seek-kim-jong-nams-body/article34157158/ |archive-date=6 March 2017 |access-date=6 March 2017 |publisher=The Globe and Mail |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> They said they were promised US$100, but after losing contact with their handlers, they never received the money.<ref name="scp">{{cite news |author1=Paddock |first=Richard C. |author2=Sang-hun |first2=Choe |date=13 April 2017 |title=Lawyers for Women in Kim Jong-nam Case Say They Were Scapegoated |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://nytimes.com/2017/04/13/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea-malaysia.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414003849/https://nytimes.com/2017/04/13/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-assassination-north-korea-malaysia.html |archive-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> According to their lawyers, Hương was recruited in December 2016 in [[Hanoi]], Vietnam, while Aisyah was recruited in January 2017 by a Malaysian scout working for the North Koreans. The women were handled by separate teams of North Korean men, who posed as being from Japan and China, one of the recruiters being Ri Ji-u.<ref name="scp"/> Since their recruitment, Aisyah had performed the prank on at least 10 occasions. She was flown to [[Phnom Penh]] to perform the prank three times with an offer of US$200, while Hương performed it four times in locations including the airport terminals and Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur.<ref name="scp"/> The prank involved approaching unsuspecting men and putting hands on their faces or kissing them on the cheek, then apologising before running away. Then Ri Ji-u said that a new actress and actor would join them for the airport prank. He described the actor as a fat and bald man with a “black bag and jacket”, matching Kim's description on the day of his death.<ref name="not knowing" /> The Malaysian police retrieved a photo of "James" from Siti Aisyah's phone. He was later identified as Ri Ji-u.<ref>{{cite news |author=Yen |first=Ho Kit |date=6 November 2017 |title=Jong Nam murder: Cop reveals identity of 5th N Korean suspect |work=Free Malaysia Today |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/11/06/jong-nam-murder-cop-reveals-identity-of-5th-n-korean-suspect/ |url-status=dead |access-date=15 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106115042/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/11/06/jong-nam-murder-cop-reveals-identity-of-5th-n-korean-suspect/ |archive-date=6 November 2017 |quote=Azirul added that the information he was provided gave the name of the four men as Hong Song Hac, 34 (who was known as Chang); Ri Ji Hyon, 33 (Mr Y); Ri Jae Nam, 57 (Hanamori), and O Jong Gil, 55 (James). He also said SB's information showed one more suspect Ri Ji U, 30, who was also known as "James".}}</ref> The police searched for him but he was already in the North Korean embassy.<ref name="cna170319">{{cite web |author=Goh |first=Melissa |date=19 March 2017 |title=Pranks, stardom, money: How a woman was allegedly coaxed into killing Kim Jong |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pranks-stardom-money-how-a-woman-was-allegedly-coaxed-into-killi-8574582 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508122848/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/pranks-stardom-money-how-a-woman-was-allegedly-coaxed-into-killi-8574582 |archive-date=8 May 2017 |access-date=15 April 2017 |publisher=Channel News Asia}}</ref> On 19 February, Malaysian police named four more North Korean suspects.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sipalan |first=Joseph |author2=Menon |first2=Praveen |author3=Chalmers |first3=John |date=19 February 2017 |editor-last=Perry |editor-first=Michael |title=Malaysia searching for four more North Korean suspects in Kim Jong Nam death |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-police-idUSKBN15Y068 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219075426/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-police-idUSKBN15Y068 |archive-date=19 February 2017 |access-date=19 February 2017 |work=Reuters}}</ref> They were identified as Ri Ji-hyon (aged 33), Hong Song-hak (34), O Jong-gil (55) and Ri Jae-nam (57), all of whom left Malaysia after the attack, and the Malaysian police requested help from [[Interpol]] and other relevant authorities in tracking them.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Zolkepli |first=Farik |author2=Tarmizi |first2=Jastin Ahmad |date=19 February 2017 |title=Kim Jong-nam murder: Suspects left country on day of killing |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/19/jong-nam-murder-police-pc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219091405/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/02/19/jong-nam-murder-police-pc/ |archive-date=19 February 2017 |access-date=19 February 2017 |work=The Star}}</ref> According to an unnamed source, the four suspects flew to [[Jakarta]], [[Dubai]] and [[Vladivostok]] before reaching [[Pyongyang]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/4-north-korean-suspects-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-back-in-pyongyang-sources |title=4 North Korean suspects in Kim Jong Nam murder back in Pyongyang: Sources |work=The Star/Asia News Network |publisher=The Straits Times |date=20 February 2017 |access-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220091457/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/4-north-korean-suspects-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-back-in-pyongyang-sources |archive-date=20 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Su-ji |first=Park |date=20 February 2017 |title=Four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia immediately after Kim Jong-nam's killing |url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/783334.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222113345/http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/783334.html |archive-date=22 February 2017 |access-date=22 February 2017 |publisher=The Hankyoreh}}</ref> Three other male North Korean suspects were still in Malaysia: Ri Ji-u, who had lived in Malaysia for three years; Kim Uk-il, an employee of [[Air Koryo]]; and Hyon Kwang-song, the [[second secretary]] at the North Korean embassy.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Paddock |first=Richard C. |author2=Mullany |first2=Gerry |date=21 February 2017 |title=Senior North Korean Diplomat Is Sought in Death of Kim Jong-nam |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-killing-malaysia-north-korea.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222112514/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/21/world/asia/kim-jong-nam-killing-malaysia-north-korea.html |archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="suspects">{{cite news |author1=Latiff |first=Rozanna |author2= |first2= |author3= |first3= |author4= |first4= |author5= |first5= |date=22 February 2017 |title=Malaysia names North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning in murder case |work=Reuters |url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1610AM |url-status=live |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222053242/http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1610AM |archive-date=22 February 2017}}</ref> These suspects had taken refuge in the North Korean embassy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Paddock |first1=Richard C. |title=North Korean Suspects in Killing of Kim Jong-nam Join Tradition of Holing Up in Embassies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/world/asia/malaysia-kim-jong-nam-embassy-immunity.html |access-date=1 March 2017 |work=The New York Times |date=1 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302060301/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/world/asia/malaysia-kim-jong-nam-embassy-immunity.html |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Berlinger |first=Joshua |author2=Ahmad |first2=Salhan K. |date=31 March 2017 |title=North Koreans hiding in Malaysian embassy return to Pyongyang |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/31/asia/kim-jong-nam-malaysia-north-koreans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401145728/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/31/asia/kim-jong-nam-malaysia-north-koreans/ |archive-date=1 April 2017 |access-date=31 March 2017 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> On 22 February, Malaysian police Chief Khalid said that the killing was "a planned effort" and that the two women arrested had been trained to carry out the attack and had repeatedly rehearsed it together at [[Pavilion Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Kuala Lumpur City Centre]] (KLCC).<ref name="suspects"/> Khalid also alleged that the women apparently knew they were handling poisonous substances.<ref name="suspects"/> That same day, an unnamed Malaysian man believed to be a chemist was picked up by police during a raid on a condominium where he then led police to another condominium where various chemicals were seized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-police-seize-chemicals-from-condominium-as-part-of-probe-on-kim-jong-nam |title=Malaysian police seize chemicals from condominium as part of probe on Kim Jong Nam murder |work=The Star/Asia News Network |publisher=The Straits Times |date=24 February 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225070617/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-police-seize-chemicals-from-condominium-as-part-of-probe-on-kim-jong-nam |archive-date=25 February 2017 }}</ref> On 28 February, both women were charged with murder, which carries a [[Capital punishment in Malaysia|mandatory death sentence]].<ref name="globe"/><ref name="aljazeera" /> A lawyer for Hương requested a second autopsy as he doubted Malaysian expertise, calling for experts from Japan and [[Iraq]] as well pathologists from North Korea itself to be involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/lawyer-for-vietnamese-suspect-in-kim-murder-calls-for-second-autopsy-3551655.html |title=Lawyer for Vietnamese suspect in Kim murder calls for second autopsy |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=VnExpress |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=8 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307083117/http://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/lawyer-for-vietnamese-suspect-in-kim-murder-calls-for-second-autopsy-3551655.html |archive-date=7 March 2017 }}</ref> The Malaysian police responded by telling the lawyer to appeal to the [[High Courts (Malaysia)|high court]].<ref>{{cite AV media|url=http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-videos/only-g-can-approve-second-autopsy-request-145887 |title=Only A-G can approve second autopsy request |medium=video |time=02:09 |publisher=Astro Awani |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=8 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308220430/http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-videos/only-g-can-approve-second-autopsy-request-145887 |archive-date=8 March 2017 }}</ref> On 3 March, the only detained North Korean suspect, Ri Jong-chol, was released and deported due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/02/kim-jong-nam-murder-malaysia-to-release-deport-north-korean-suspect-due-to-lack-evidence.html |title=Kim Jong Nam murder: Malaysia to release, deport North Korean suspect due to lack of evidence |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Fox News |date=2 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302064237/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/02/kim-jong-nam-murder-malaysia-to-release-deport-north-korean-suspect-due-to-lack-evidence.html |archive-date=2 March 2017 }}</ref> While in transit through China, he told the media that the Malaysian police threatened to hurt his family if he did not confess his involvement in the murder and said his arrest was part of a "conspiracy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39162025 |title=Kim Jong-nam death: North Korean says arrest was 'conspiracy' |work=BBC News |date=4 March 2017 |access-date=6 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306223427/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39162025 |archive-date=6 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Eileen |date=2021-04-20 |title=Deported Korean says Malaysia threatened to harm his family |url=https://apnews.com/article/police-ap-top-news-north-korea-international-news-pyongyang-fd20ecf9dafe4598888d44304433def5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419214617/https://apnews.com/article/asia-pacific-ap-top-news-police-beijing-kuala-lumpur-fd20ecf9dafe4598888d44304433def5 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> Malaysian police strongly denied his allegation.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 March 2017 |title=Police Dismiss North Korean's Claim of Conspiracy |url=http://malaysiandigest.com/news/661607-police-dismiss-north-korean-s-claim-of-conspiracy.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306210924/http://malaysiandigest.com/news/661607-police-dismiss-north-korean-s-claim-of-conspiracy.html |archive-date=6 March 2017 |access-date=6 March 2017 |work=Bernama |publisher=Malaysian Digest}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/05/we-treated-jongchol-well-says-igp/ |title=We treated Jong-chol well, says IGP |work=The Star |date=5 March 2017 |access-date=6 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305034437/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/03/05/we-treated-jongchol-well-says-igp/ |archive-date=5 March 2017 }}</ref> On 16 March, Interpol issued a [[red notice]] for the four North Korean suspects who had fled to Pyongyang.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 March 2017 |title=Interpol 'red notice' on Kim Jong-nam murder suspects |url=https://archive.news.stv.tv/archive/1383180-interpol-red-notice-on-kim-jong-nam-murder-suspects.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316131651/https://stv.tv/news/international/1383180-interpol-red-notice-on-kim-jong-nam-murder-suspects/ |archive-date=16 March 2017 |access-date=16 March 2017 |publisher=STV News}}</ref> The three North Korean suspects, Ri Ji-u, Kim Uk-il and Hyon Kwang-song, who were holed up in the North Korean embassy in Malaysia, were released on 30 March and allowed to return home after investigators interviewed them and cleared them of any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=31 March 2017 |title=Malaysia interviewed, cleared 3 N. Koreans before they left |newspaper=The Seattle Times |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/2-north-korean-suspects-in-kim-jong-nam-killing-head-home/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=31 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331104721/http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/2-north-korean-suspects-in-kim-jong-nam-killing-head-home/ |archive-date=31 March 2017}}</ref> On 22 March, [[Yonhap News Agency]] released information stating that Rhi Ji-hyon, one of the four suspects who left Malaysia after the attack (the man with a cap on the photo from the airport CCTV), is the son of former North Korean ambassador to Vietnam Ri Hong. From November 2009, he worked as a trainee diplomat in Hanoi for more than a year before becoming an interpreter for another few years. With his ability to converse fluently in the [[Vietnamese language]], he is suspected of having seduced and lured the Vietnamese national Hương into a fake TV prank, making her believe that he is a rich South Korean man.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 March 2017 |title=N.K. suspect in Kim Jong-nam's killing is son of ex-envoy to Vietnam |url=https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20170322006500315 |access-date=30 September 2017 |publisher=Yonhap News Agency}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voatiengviet.com/a/ke-du-do-doan-thi-huong-giet-nguoi-la-con-cuu-dai-su-bac-han-tai-vn/3776938.html|title=Kẻ 'dụ dỗ' Đoàn Thị Hương là con cựu đại sứ Bắc Hàn tại VN|trans-title=The 'man' who seduced Đoàn Thị Hương is the former son of the North Korean ambassador to Vietnam|language=vi|publisher=VOA Tiếng Việt|date=22 March 2017|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> On the request of the Judicial Authorities of Malaysia, Interpol had published a red notice for Rhi Ji-hyon for his involvement in the murder plot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2017-15136|title=Extract of the Red Notice|publisher=Interpol|access-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924123329/https://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2017-15136|archive-date=24 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the forensics investigation, Kim had a [[Dell]] [[laptop]] which had accessed data stored on a USB [[pen drive]] while he was in [[Langkawi]], though the pen drive was not in his possession when he died.<ref>{{cite news |author= |author-link= |date=30 January 2018 |title=Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader, met with suspected US spy days before he was killed, court hears |newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2131104/kim-jong-nam-half-brother-north-korean-leader-met-suspected-us |quote=Fuelling speculation that Kim had ties with US intelligence, Wan Azirul also confirmed that a forensic report on Kim's Dell laptop showed that some data was accessed by a USB pen drive several times on February 9, 2017, while he was in Langkawi. The pen drive was not among the items found on Kim when he died on February 13.}}</ref> == Murder trial == {{Excessive detail|date=August 2022}} The murder trial of Siti Aisyah and Đoàn Thị Hương began on 2 October 2017 at the High Court in [[Shah Alam]], [[Selangor]], [[Malaysia]], with both pleading not guilty.<ref name="Reuters2017-07-28a">{{cite news |author1=Latiff |first=Rozanna |author2=Menon |first2=Praveen |date=28 July 2017 |title=Malaysia sets October 2 for trial of women suspects in Kim Jong Nam killing |work=[[Reuters]] |editor1=Neil Fullick |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia-kim-court-idUSKBN1AD08P?il=0 |access-date=16 August 2017 |editor2=Clarence Fernandez}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41464331 |title=Kim Jong-nam death: Women plead not guilty |date=2 October 2017 |work=BBC News |access-date=2 October 2017}}</ref> Judge Datuk Azmi Ariffin was the presiding judge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Raj |first=Reena |last2=Chin |first2=Emmanuel Santa Maria |date=2 October 2017 |title=Trial of the year begins |newspaper=The Malay Mail |url=http://epaper.mmail.com.my/wp-inception/88M_7qLHq1bAsQxTj508fc/output.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322135533/http://epaper.mmail.com.my/wp-inception/88M_7qLHq1bAsQxTj508fc/output.html |archive-date=22 March 2018 |quote=Judge Datuk Azmi Ariffin presided over the case.}}</ref> A Malaysian government chemist testified before the court that VX degradation products were found on the two women.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/05/vx-nerve-agent-found-shirt-of-kim-jong-nams-accused-killer-court-hears|title=VX nerve agent trace found on women accused of killing Kim Jong-nam, court hears|agency=Associated Press|date=5 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 October 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="VX traces">{{cite web |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=5 October 2017 |title=Chemist says VX nerve agent byproduct was on Kim Jong Nam murder suspect's shirt |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-kim-jong-nam-assassination-trial-20171005-story.html |access-date=8 October 2017 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The testimony was the first evidence to provide a link between the defendants and the VX nerve agent.<ref name=":0" /> Claims by North Korean authorities that Kim had died of a heart attack were disputed by pathologist Mohamad Shah Mahmood, who told the court there was no evidence of a heart attack on autopsy and that post-mortem toxicology reports showed VX was the sole cause of death.<ref name="shown">{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Eileen |date=2021-04-20 |title=Masks worn in Malaysian court as VX-tainted evidence shown |url=https://apnews.com/article/kim-jong-nam-ap-top-news-north-korea-malaysia-international-news-be3c8aad5e4c4ccca6b957c4cb3da182 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419215929/https://apnews.com/article/kim-jong-nam-ap-top-news-north-korea-malaysia-international-news-be3c8aad5e4c4ccca6b957c4cb3da182 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> Under cross-examination by both defense lawyers, Mohamad, however, acknowledged he had limited knowledge of nerve agents in general and said he did not know the amount of the poison that was used.<ref name="shown"/> Another chemical pathologist, Nur Ashikin Othman, told the court that Kim had very low blood levels of [[cholinesterase]], the enzyme inhibited by [[anticholinesterase]] agents such as VX. She also stated that cholinesterase levels were within the normal range for both defendants, but that this did not rule out the possibility they had been in contact with VX.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=2 October 2017 |title=Post-mortem: VX poison killed brother of North Korean leader |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pathologist-north-korean-had-low-enzyme-due-to-poisoning/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003084940/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pathologist-north-korean-had-low-enzyme-due-to-poisoning/ |archive-date=3 October 2017 |quote=}}</ref> [[Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital]] doctor Ranjini Sivaganabalan, a specialist in poisons, testified that VX may not be fatal in very low dosages and disagreed with an assertion that as little as 10 milligrams of VX would be lethal to humans, and claimed that a person with VX on their hands may not be fully decontaminated by washing it off with soap and water.<ref name="shown"/><ref>{{cite news |quote=The trial resumed after a break with the testimony of Dr Ranjini Sivaganabalan, a clinical toxicologist at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang. |title=North Korea's objection delayed post-mortem, says pathologist |first=Muzliza |last=Mustafa |date=4 October 2017 |access-date=12 October 2017 |url=http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/17194/ |publisher=The Malaysian Insight}}</ref> Toxicologist K. Sharmilah testified that vials of [[atropine]], a drug used as an antidote to poisoning with nerve agents such as VX, were found in Kim Jong-nam's bag.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/01/kim-jong-nam-north-korea-antidote-nerve-agent-killed-bag |title=Kim Jong-nam had antidote to nerve agent that killed him in bag. |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=1 December 2017 |agency=Reuters |quote=The vials contained atropine, an antidote for poisons such as VX and insecticides, toxicologist Dr K. Sharmilah told the court on Wednesday, according to state news agency Bernama.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42186034|title=Kim Jong-nam killing: Regime critic carried 'antidote'|work=BBC News|date=30 November 2017|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> On 8 October, the trial had to be moved to a high-security laboratory due to the danger posed by the nerve agent-tainted clothing admitted into evidence.<ref name="NP"/> Police investigator Wan Azirul identified four suspects in the CCTV images as Mr. Chang (identified as Hong Song-hac), Mr. Y (Rhi Ji-hyon), James (O Jong-gil), and Hanamori (a.k.a. "Grandpa" and "Uncle") (Ri Jae-nam).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/08/two-north-koreans-initially-identified-suspects-jong-nam-murder-trial |first=G. |last=Surach |work=The Sun |title=Two North Koreans initially identified as suspects: Jong-nam murder trial |date=8 November 2017 |access-date=8 November 2017 |quote=Previously, the court had witnessed footage of the duo helping the four suspects, "Mr Chang" was identified as Hong Song Hac, 34, "Mr Y" as Ri Ji Hyon, 33, "Hanamori @ Grandpa-Uncle as Ri Jae Nam, 57, and "Mr James" as O Jong Jil, 55, to leave Malaysia barely hours after the murder. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315084247/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/08/two-north-koreans-initially-identified-suspects-jong-nam-murder-trial |archive-date=15 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The men were not arrested because Malaysian police did not have sufficient information to identify or locate the suspects, according to investigating officer Wan Azirul and Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Straits Times]] |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/kim-jong-nam-murder-trial-malaysian-court-told-police-had-insufficient-info-on-four |title=Kim Jong Nam murder trial: Malaysian court told police had insufficient info on four accused |date=25 October 2017 |access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> When the trial resumed in January 2018, Justice Azmi Ariffin ruled that certain CCTV records could not be admitted as evidence.<ref>{{cite news |author= |author-link= |date=22 January 2018 |title=Jong-nam trial: Judge dismisses CCTV footage evidence |work=[[Malaysiakini]] |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/409617 |quote=But Gooi stressed that if the prosecution wanted to replay the whole recording, he would apply for a trial within a trial on the admissibility of the exhibit. Justice Azmi Ariffin sustained the objection and ruled that the recording would not be played or admitted as evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/geeks-vouch-for-resurrected-footage-of-kim-assassination/news-story/ed4903093956aee256a3d1f563f62ccc?nk=2ab355fea079264c93d7a63c37d71a2a-1516630538|title=Geeks vouch for resurrected footage of Kim assassination|agency=Associated Press|publisher=[[The Australian]]|date=23 January 2018|access-date=23 January 2018}} {{subscription required}}</ref> On 14 March, Hương lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik presented a recorded statement from Nguyễn Bích Thủy, a bar owner and Hương's friend, to the [[Vietnam People's Public Security|Vietnamese police]] on 1 March 2017, detailing how Hương was recruited by a man named as "Li" (identified as Rhi Ji-hyon).{{refn|group=nb|"Li" was the name that Rhi Ji-hyon introduced himself as to Thủy.<ref name="Thủy statement">{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2137234/how-kim-jong-nam-vietnamese-murder-suspect-was-recruited-prank|title=Kim Jong-nam murder suspect explains how North Koreans recruited her for 'assassination disguised as prank TV show'|agency=Associated Press|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=14 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref>}} Through the statement, Thủy said: {{quote|Me and Hương used to work together as waitresses at the Seventeen Bar in Hanoi from 2014 to May 2016. On 27 December 2016, Li (Rhi Ji-hyon) came to the Hay Bar in Hanoi that was run by me and my husband. Li claimed he had a Korean father and Vietnamese mother and that he was married but divorced with no children. He offered me a job as an actress but I refused because I need to take care of my young son. Li then asked me to introduce him to one of her friends. I remembered Hương loved acting and contacted her. When Hương came by the bar to meet Li, I heard him telling Hương that his team was making prank videos at the airport and she was required to "dress nicely, pass by another person and pour a cup of liquid on his/her head".<ref name="Thủy statement"/>}} During the cross examination, the defence lawyer also produced an [[affidavit]] Thủy had made the previous October that also contained her police statement.<ref name="Thủy statement"/><ref name="biased judgements">{{cite web |author=Azmi |first=Hadi |date=14 March 2018 |title=Malaysia: Defense Lawyers Blast Prosecutors in Kim Jong Nam Murder Case |url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/trial-cross-03142018151037.html |access-date=15 March 2018 |publisher=Benar News}}</ref> The Malaysian police lead investigator Wan Azirul then came under fire from the lawyer after he admitted not seeking out Thủy even though the accused (Hương) had mentioned her in her statement, with the lawyer said "In doing an investigation you are supposed to look for the truth, but your investigation is only focused on the CCTV footage. The truth is there (in Vietnam) but no one in Malaysia is interested".<ref name="Thủy statement"/><ref name="biased judgements"/><ref name="important evidence">{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/defence-lawyer-slams-malaysian-police-over-kim-murder-probe-10042554|title=Defence lawyer slams Malaysian police over Kim murder probe|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=14 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018|archive-date=14 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314145837/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/defence-lawyer-slams-malaysian-police-over-kim-murder-probe-10042554|url-status=dead}}<br />{{*}} {{cite web|url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/defence-lawyer-slams-cops-over-jong-nam-murder-probe|title=Defence lawyer slams cops over Jong-nam murder probe|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=The Malay Mail|date=14 March 2018|access-date=15 March 2018}}</ref> The lawyer also told that in November he had asked the Malaysian attorney general's office for assistance in convincing Thủy to travel to Malaysia to testify about her role in introducing Hương to the North Korean man. The request was however declined when another attorney representing Hương, Salim Bashir said "It's unfortunate that the attorney general declined to exercise his power to do this and in doing that deprived us of having the opportunity for police to go to Vietnam and investigate".<ref name="biased judgements"/> Salim added that the fact that security videos showed Hương appeared to be touching her hair briefly after approaching Kim and going to a toilet farther away to wash her hands showed an "innocent mind" and not the conduct of someone who knew she had poison on her hand.<ref name="prejudice">{{cite news |author=Ng |first=Eileen |date=22 March 2018 |title=Malaysia police deny prejudice against Kim murder suspects |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/malaysia-police-deny-prejudice-against-kim-murder-suspects/2018/03/22/0e0c3c8a-2d8f-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322115741/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/malaysia-police-deny-prejudice-against-kim-murder-suspects/2018/03/22/0e0c3c8a-2d8f-11e8-8dc9-3b51e028b845_story.html |archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> According to lawyer Hisyam, Thủy also turned down efforts by Vietnamese police and defence lawyers to travel to Malaysia to testify for Hương, citing her responsibility in running her bar with her husband and taking care of her young child.<ref name="biased judgements"/> Meanwhile, on the Siti Aisyah side according to her lawyer Gooi Soon Seng, he slammed Malaysian investigators for not allowing him to meet Aisyah during her 14-day remand and not releasing portions of the video linked to the attack as well for the authorities failure to copy all the footage from the CCTV server of the airport which compromised the defence of Aisyah.<ref name="biased judgements"/><ref name="important evidence"/> The lawyer blamed the police for not publishing the entire incident of the video during the attack as it was seen during the trials that police had deliberately cut off the key moments of the killing from the video that the accused (Aisyah) was adjusting glasses after attacking the victim (to which the footage of Aisyah wearing sunglasses was dropped as evidence is not appropriate when police are trying to convict his client of murder).<ref>{{cite web |author=Shim |first=Elizabeth |date=14 March 2018 |title=Police omitted Kim Jong Nam assassination footage, attorney says |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2018/03/14/Police-omitted-Kim-Jong-Nam-assassination-footage-attorney-says/3321521033826/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314204738/https://www.upi.com/Police-omitted-Kim-Jong-Nam-assassination-footage-attorney-says/3321521033826/ |archive-date=14 March 2018 |access-date=15 March 2018 |publisher=UPI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 March 2018 |title=Police Deliberately Omitted Key Moments in the Assassination of Kim Jong Un's Half-Brother: Defense Lawyer |url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/police-deliberately-omitted-key-moments-assassination-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-defense-lawyer- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315154244/https://www.albawaba.com/news/police-deliberately-omitted-key-moments-assassination-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-defense-lawyer- |archive-date=15 March 2018 |access-date=15 March 2018 |website=[[Al Bawaba]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Linh |first=Hoài |date=15 March 2018 |title=Luật sư vụ án 'Kim Jong Nam' tố cảnh sát ỉm bằng chứng |trans-title=Lawyers case of 'Kim Jong Nam' police prosecution evidence |url=http://vietnamnet.vn/vn/the-gioi/luat-su-vu-doan-thi-huong-to-canh-sat-im-bang-chung-435904.html |access-date=15 March 2018 |publisher=Vietnam Net |language=vi}}</ref> The lawyer adding that police has failed to investigate crucial evidence such as Aisyah's jeans and glasses that were not sent for lab tests. Based on a chemistry department test also showing that Aisyah's finger nail cuttings, nail swabs and blood found no traces of VX.<ref name="biased judgements"/><ref name="important evidence"/> Both defence lawyers agreed that their clients did not know they were handling poison and made a scapegoat moreover with the absence of the four North Korean suspects.<ref name="prejudice"/><ref name="not knowing">{{cite web |date=21 March 2018 |title=Woman accused in Kim Jong Nam killing played prank on Vietnamese official, lawyer says |url=https://www.businessinsider.sg/woman-accused-in-kim-jong-nam-killing-played-prank-on-vietnamese-official-lawyer-says/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322121918/https://www.businessinsider.sg/woman-accused-in-kim-jong-nam-killing-played-prank-on-vietnamese-official-lawyer-says/ |archive-date=22 March 2018 |access-date=21 March 2018 |website=Business Insider |publisher= |agency=Reuters}}</ref> Through the trial from 20 March, Hisyam screened a video of CCTV recorded at [[Noi Bai International Airport]] on 2 February 2017 on her client played a prank on a Vietnamese government official named Trịnh Ngọc Linh in Hanoi less than two weeks before the attack, which showed her approaching the man from behind and putting her arms around his neck.<ref name="not knowing"/><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.vietnammoi.vn/he-lo-video-doan-thi-huong-dien-tap-tai-san-bay-noi-bai-88629.html|title=Hé lộ video Đoàn Thị Hương diễn tập tại sân bay Nội Bài|trans-title=Revealing the video of Đoàn Thị Hương rehearsing at Nội Bài airport|author=Trong Giap|language=vi|work=VNExpress|medium=video|time=0:53|publisher=Việt Nam Mới|date=22 March 2018|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322123910/https://www.vietnammoi.vn/he-lo-video-doan-thi-huong-dien-tap-tai-san-bay-noi-bai-88629.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another video screened by the lawyer showing Hương acting as the victim of pranks played by a Vietnamese filmmaker, Nguyễn Mạnh Quang (also known as Quang Bek).<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://tintucvietnam.vn/video-doan-thi-huong-dien-choi-kham-voi-quang-bek-30229|title=Vụ Kim Jong Nam: Video làm chứng Đoàn Thị Hương từng diễn chơi khăm|trans-title=The case of Kim Jong Nam: The witnesses video Đoàn Thị Hương who used to play pranks|author=Ánh Dương|language=vi|medium=video|time=5:51|publisher=Tin tức Việt Nam|date=21 March 2018|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> Through an affidavit made by Quang, Quang said he had hired Hương to act in the video, which recorded in 2016.<ref name="not knowing"/> The lawyer then explained that "these videos explain why the accused identified herself as an actress" and questioned police investigator Wan Azirul if he "made some efforts to track Quang after receiving affidavits and ask if the task was important or that it was a waste of time" which was replied by "no efforts was made and agreeing to the latter question".<ref>{{cite web |author=Hamdan |first=Nurbaiti |date=20 March 2018 |title=Kissing prank makes court laugh in Kim murder trial |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/03/20/kissing-prank-makes-court-laugh-in-kim-murder-trial/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322121629/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/03/20/kissing-prank-makes-court-laugh-in-kim-murder-trial/ |archive-date=22 March 2018 |access-date=22 March 2018 |work=The Star}}</ref> The Malaysian police investigator however deny the blame that with the absence of four North Korean suspects their investigation had caused prejudice, insisting that "as for the case, the main perpetrators who committed the killing are the two accused", as well denying on the accusation that Malaysian police did not take adequate measures to pursue the four men, stressing that Interpol had issued an alert for the four men to be arrested based on Malaysia's request.<ref name="prejudice"/> After being questioned by another Hương lawyer Naran Singh during the session hearing, the police investigator admitted there was a mistake in his investigation due to pressure from previous Malaysian police Chief Khalid though Wan Azirul still declining the claim that his investigation is controlled by his superior.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hạnh |first=Minh |date=22 March 2018 |title=Điều tra viên vụ Đoàn Thị Hương thừa nhận mắc sai sót |trans-title=Investigator of the case of Đoàn Thị Hương admits mistakes |url=http://soha.vn/dieu-tra-vien-vu-doan-thi-huong-thua-nhan-mac-sai-sot-2018032214081635.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323111640/http://soha.vn/dieu-tra-vien-vu-doan-thi-huong-thua-nhan-mac-sai-sot-2018032214081635.htm |archive-date=23 March 2018 |access-date=22 March 2018 |work=Tiền Phong |publisher=Soha |language=vi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Hamdan |first=Nurbaiti |date=22 March 2018 |title=I was under constraint from my superiors, says cop |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/03/22/i-was-under-constraint-from-my-superiors-says-cop/ |access-date=22 March 2018 |work=The Star}}</ref> [[Closing argument]]s in the trial began on 27 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/women-accused-of-poisoning-n-korean-scion-arrive-for-trial-1.534929|title=Women accused of poisoning N. Korean scion arrive for trial|work=The Associated Press|publisher=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]|date=27 June 2018|access-date=10 September 2018|quote=Two women accused of poisoning the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader arrived at court Wednesday for closing arguments in a murder trial that could send the women to the gallows.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627111254/https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/women-accused-of-poisoning-n-korean-scion-arrive-for-trial-1.534929|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 16 August, the Malaysian court has decided to continue the trial on 1 November until April 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesundaily.my/local/kim-jong-nam-murder-case-dec-18-for-decision-on-notice-of-motion-YA266742|title=Kim Jong-Nam murder case: Dec 18 for decision on notice of motion|work=Bernama|publisher=The Sun|date=14 December 2018|access-date=16 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216071244/https://www.thesundaily.my/local/kim-jong-nam-murder-case-dec-18-for-decision-on-notice-of-motion-YA266742|archive-date=16 December 2018|url-status=dead|quote=The court set Jan 7 to 10, Jan 28 to 31 and Feb 18 and 19 for Siti Aisyah to enter a defence, while the dates for the court to hear Doan's defence are March 11 to 14, March 18 to 21, April 1 to 4 and April 8 and 9.}}</ref> with the judge saying that "a political assassination cannot be ruled out" although there was not enough evidence to say, adding that security camera footage "showed that they had the knowledge that the liquid on their hands was toxic and there was no hidden crew and no attempt to bring the person in on the joke afterward, as is common in reality TV prank shows".<ref>{{cite web |author=Doubek |first=James |date=16 August 2018 |title=Judge Cites A 'Well-Planned Conspiracy' In Kim Jong Nam's Death |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/08/16/639162368/judge-says-a-well-planned-conspiracy-in-kim-jong-nam-s-death |access-date=10 September 2018 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> Both of the accused are then being called to enter their defense since the trial would take another few months before a final verdict is reached.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shim |first=Elizabeth |date=16 August 2018 |title=Malaysian court to extend Kim Jong Nam assassination trial |url=https://www.upi.com/Malaysian-court-to-extend-Kim-Jong-Nam-assassination-trial/4841534411915/ |access-date=10 September 2018 |website=UPI |publisher=}}</ref> On 1 September, the Malaysian police are tracking down two Indonesian women who are willing to testify on the case.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 September 2018 |title=Malaysian police seeking pair to testify in Kim Jong-nam murder trial |url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/malaysian-police-seeking-pair-to-testify-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-trial-3802126.html |access-date=10 September 2018 |work=VNExpress |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45383380|title=Kim Jong-nam murder: Police seek pair to testify at murder trial|work=BBC News|date=1 September 2018|access-date=10 September 2018}}</ref> On 28 January 2019, the trial was postponed to March.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/trial-01282019161738.html|title=Kim Jong Nam Case: Malaysian Court Postpones Trial's Defense Phase until March|work=Benar News|publisher=Radio Free Asia|date=28 January 2019|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref> ==Dismissal of murder charges== === Release of Siti Aisyah === [[File:Indonesian Government Letter to Malaysian Government for the Release of Siti Aisyah.jpg|thumb|alt=Indonesian Government Letter to Malaysian Government for the Release of Siti Aisyah|Request letter signed by [[Yasonna Laoly]] of [[Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Indonesia)|Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights]] delivered to Malaysian attorney general for Aisyah release]] In March 2019, Siti Aisyah was released after her murder charge was dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=11 March 2019 |title=Kim Jong-nam death: suspect Siti Aisyah released after charge dropped |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/11/kim-jong-nam-trial-siti-aisyah-released-after-charge-dropped |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> Both the Indonesian and Vietnamese media later revealed that her release was due to a request letter sent by the Indonesian government, which had received a response from Malaysian attorney general [[Tommy Thomas (barrister)|Tommy Thomas]].<ref name="revelation 1">{{cite web|url=https://cdn.tuoitre.vn/2019/3/11/thu-chinh-phu-indonesia-gui--1552288184324199304770.jpg|title=Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights Request Letter|via=Tuổi Trẻ|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="revelation 2">{{cite web|url=https://cdn.tuoitre.vn/2019/3/11/thu-chinh-phu-indonesia-gui-2--1552288184332582969637.jpg|title=Malaysian Attorney-General Respond Letter|via=Tuổi Trẻ|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="hidden letter">{{cite web |author=Wasis |first=Widjiono |date=14 March 2019 |title=Terungkap Isi Surat Jaksa Agung Malaysia soal Bebasnya Siti Aisyah |trans-title=Revealed Letter Contents from Malaysian Attorney General on the Release of Siti Aisyah |url=https://www.senayanpost.com/terungkap-isi-surat-jaksa-agung-malaysia-soal-bebasnya-siti-aisyah/ |access-date=14 March 2019 |publisher=Senayan Post |language=id}}</ref> This was later admitted by Thomas and confirmed by [[Reuters]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/03/11/siti-aisyah-freed-on-indonesias-request-says-ag/|title=Siti Aisyah freed on Indonesia's request, says AG|agency=Reuters|publisher=Free Malaysia Today|date=11 March 2019|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> though Thomas refused to respond to other media sources when asked to comment on the decision.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hamdan |first=Nurbaiti |date=12 March 2019 |title=AG Tommy Thomas stays mum on Siti Aisyah's release |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/12/tommy-thomas-stays-mum-on-siti-aisyah-release/ |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=The Star}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Christiastuti |first=Novi |date=13 March 2019 |title=Ditanya Soal Bebasnya Siti Aisyah, Ini Jawaban Jaksa Agung Malaysia |trans-title=Asked about the Sudden Release of Siti Aisyah, This is the Answer of the Malaysian Attorney General |url=https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-4465676/ditanya-soal-bebasnya-siti-aisyah-ini-jawaban-jaksa-agung-malaysia |access-date=14 March 2019 |publisher=DetikNews |language=id}}</ref> On March 13, [[Minister in the Prime Minister's Department]] [[Liew Vui Keong]] further explained that the power to dismiss charges against any individual in Malaysia rests with the nation's attorney general as established in the [[Constitution of Malaysia|constitution]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Ariff |first=Syed Umar |date=13 March 2019 |title=Liew: Power to drop charge rests with AG |newspaper=New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/468795/liew-power-drop-charge-rests-ag |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> Despite similar callings from the Vietnamese government to release Đoàn Thị Hương in the manner of the Indonesian suspect,<ref>{{cite web |author=Ngoc |first=Anh |date=13 March 2019 |title=Vietnam asks Malaysia to free Vietnamese suspect in Kim Jong-nam murder case |url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-asks-malaysia-to-free-vietnamese-suspect-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-case-3893692.html |access-date=14 March 2019 |publisher=VnExpress}}</ref> Malaysian prosecutors rejected the request and said the trial would continue to proceed with a postponement until April 1 due to Hương's poor health and psychological condition—she had not slept for three nights following the Malaysian attorney general's decision to drop the charges against Aisyah.<ref name="bias decision">{{cite news |author=Khairulrijal |first=Rahmat |date=14 March 2019 |title=(Update) Kim Jong Nam murder trial: AGC rejects Vietnam woman's bid to withdraw charge |newspaper=New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2019/03/469034/update-kim-jong-nam-murder-trial-agc-rejects-vietnam-womans-bid |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=14 March 2019 |title=Kim Jong-nam murder trial: prosecutors reject request to free Doan Thi Huong |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/14/kim-jong-nam-trial-prosecutors-reject-request-to-free-doan-thi-huong |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> ==== Reactions ==== Hương's defence lawyers felt the Malaysian government was practicing discrimination in the [[Judiciary of Malaysia|judiciary system]] since the court previously stated that it found a ''[[prima facie]]'' case against both suspects but only released one. They provided reasons for doing so, such as "taking consideration of [[Indonesia–Malaysia relations|good relations]] between Indonesia and Malaysia thus agreed to the passage of ''[[nolle prosequi]]'' for Aisyah", as evidenced from the discovery of the hidden letter delivered by the attorney general of Malaysia to the [[Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Indonesia)|Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights]] as a response towards their appeal request.<ref name="bias decision" /><ref>{{cite news |author=H. Rodzi |first=Nadirah |date=14 March 2019 |title=Lawyers for Vietnam woman in Kim Jong Nam murder accuse Malaysia of 'discrimination' as her trial is postponed |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/vietnamese-woman-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-in-malaysia-seeks-freedom |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> The Malaysian attorney general's different treatment towards the two suspects attracted criticism from [[Ramkarpal Singh]], the Malaysian Member of Parliament for [[Bukit Gelugor (federal constituency)|Bukit Gelugor]]. Ramkarpal felt that Thomas's refusal to withdraw the murder charge against the second suspect was "mind boggling and raises questions about the powers of attorney general in the country".<ref name="misusing of power by AG">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/14/murder-charge-against-vietnamese-doan-should-also-be-dropped-says-ramkarpal/|title=Murder charge against Vietnamese Doan should also be dropped, says Ramkarpal|work=The Star|date=14 March 2019|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="Malaysian judiciary bias judgement">{{cite web |author=Christiastuti |first=Novi |date=14 March 2019 |title=Politikus Malaysia: Sangat Mengherankan Jaksa Tolak Cabut Dakwaan Doan |trans-title=Malaysian Politician: Very Surprising the Prosecutor Refused to Revoke Doan Indictment |url=https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-4467622/politikus-malaysia-sangat-mengherankan-jaksa-tolak-cabut-dakwaan-doan |access-date=14 March 2019 |publisher=DetikNews |language=id}}</ref> He further stated: {{quote|I am of the view that the charge against Hương ought to have been dropped the same way it was dropped against Siti Aisyah, if the Attorney General (AG) was of the view that [[North Korea]] had a hand in Kim's murder. Subjecting Hương to further prosecution and not her co-accused, particularly when a ''[[prima facie]]'' case has been found against both, is, with respect, unprecedented and regrettable. Since both Hương and Siti Aisyah were charged together, Hương has a constitutional right to be treated the way Siti Aisyah was, as she is entitled to equal protection of the law. Hương would never know why she was treated differently from Siti Aisyah. If she is convicted, she will always wonder if Siti Aisyah was equally culpable. In cases like these, the discretion of the AG ought to be open to question, particularly when a person's life is at stake.<ref name="misusing of power by AG"/><ref name="Malaysian judiciary bias judgement"/>}} Vietnamese [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vietnam)|Foreign Affairs Ministry]] spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng regretted the Malaysian attorney general's decision and called for a fair trial on the case.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Nguyen |first=Minh |author2=Pearson |first2=James |author3=Fernandez |first3=Clarence |date=14 March 2019 |title=Vietnam asks Malaysian for fair treatment of citizen accused of Kim Jong Nam murder |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-northkorea-fair-trial/vietnam-asks-malaysian-for-fair-treatment-of-citizen-accused-of-kim-jong-nam-murder-idUSKCN1QV12O |access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> Her statement was echoed by other Vietnamese ministers, including Foreign Minister [[Phạm Bình Minh]], Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, and Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia Lê Quý Quỳnh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/Kim-Jong-Nam-case-03142019083630.html|title=Malaysia Rejects Acquittal Bid for Vietnamese Suspect in Kim Jong Nam Murder|author1=Chew|first=Amy|last2=Azmi|first2=Hadi|date=14 March 2019|website=Benar News|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Perdana |first=Agni Vidya |date=14 March 2019 |title=Vietnam Sesalkan Jaksa Malaysia yang Tak Bebaskan Doan Thi Huong |trans-title=Vietnam Regrets Malaysian Prosecutors Decision to Keep Detaining Doan Thi Huong |url=https://internasional.kompas.com/read/2019/03/14/18412931/vietnam-sesalkan-jaksa-malaysia-yang-tak-bebaskan-doan-thi-huong |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=Agence France-Presse |publisher=Kompas.com |language=id}}</ref> The release of Siti Aisyah "sparked anger in Malaysia", with sources suggesting that the release was a result of political [[lobbying]] and "diplomatic pressure" from the Indonesian government; Malaysian Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] "denied that the Malaysian government caved in to diplomatic pressure", claiming that he had "no information" regarding the assassination and that the release was done based on the "[[rule of law]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/kim-jong-nam-murder-mahathir-denies-knowledge-of-indonesian-govt-lobbying-in-siti|title=Kim Jong Nam murder: Mahathir denies knowledge of Indonesian govt lobbying for Siti Aisyah's release|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=12 March 2019|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jegathesan |first=Muniandy |date=12 March 2019 |title=Malaysia PM says release of Siti Aisyah in N. Korea case within rules |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2019/03/12/malaysia-pm-says-release-of-siti-aisyah-in-n-korea-case-within-rules.html |access-date=15 March 2019 |work=The Jakarta Post |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-4468156/imbas-pembebasan-siti-aisyah-polemik-di-indonesia-kontroversi-di-malaysia|title=Imbas Pembebasan Siti Aisyah: Polemik di Indonesia, Kontroversi di Malaysia|trans-title=Flashback on the Release of Siti Aisyah: Polemic in Indonesia, Controversy in Malaysia|language=id|publisher=DetikNews|date=15 March 2019|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref> Bridget Welsh, a [[Southeast Asia]] expert with [[John Cabot University]], predicted that the decision will risk a "thorny [[Malaysia–Vietnam relations|bilateral]] problem with Vietnam if there is no similar treatment towards their citizen".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/ead613cc72524b69903710ea3aa64da2|title=Vietnamese suspect in Kim Jong Nam's killing seeking release|author1=Dinh|first=Hau|last2=Ng|first2=Eileen|date=14 March 2019|website=AP News|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref> [[Malaysian Chinese Association]] (MCA) President [[Wee Ka Siong]] expressed concern over possible meddling in the trial outcome. According to Wee, he had obtained a reply to his written question during a Parliament session in Malaysia, where Prime Minister Mahathir said that the attorney general could still follow his directive even though the attorney general had the discretion to decide on the timeline for criminal prosecution procedures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/14/wee-questions-executive-meddling-of-legal-process/|title=Wee questions 'executive' meddling of legal process|last=Habibu|first=Sira|date=14 March 2019|website=The Star|publisher=Star Media Group Berhad|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> His statement was followed by MCA spokeswoman Chan Quin Er, who echoed Ramkarpal's statements and stressed that "Malaysian laws should not discriminate" and everyone "is equal before the law".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/prosecution-of-doan-mca-condemns-ags-double-standard-over/|title=Prosecution of Doan: MCA condemns AG's double standard|date=15 March 2019|website=The Malaysian Times|access-date=16 March 2019|archive-date=16 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316034410/http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/prosecution-of-doan-mca-condemns-ags-double-standard-over/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Outgoing [[Malaysian Bar]] president George Varughese expressed that "the Attorney General has the prerogative to drop charges", but "it would be good if the Attorney General could give his reasons for dropping the charges" to avoid speculation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/15/ags-prerogative-to-drop-charges-against-siti-aisyah-in-kim-jong-nams-murder-case-says-outgoing/|title=AG's prerogative to drop charges against Siti Aisyah in Kim Jong-nam's murder case, says outgoing Malaysian Bar chief|date=15 March 2019|website=The Star|publisher=Star Media Group Berhad|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> Other Malaysian lawyers viewed the decision as discriminatory against Hương—not only in the sense of Malaysia's justice system, but also to the public (who mostly wanted a fair, transparent trial), as voiced by lawyer Nur Hannan Ishak.<ref name="evidently bias">{{cite news |author=Halim |first=Fakhrull |date=16 March 2019 |title=Kes Aisyah: AG hanya ada satu pertimbangan – Peguam |language=ms |trans-title=Aisyah Case: AG has only one consideration – Attorney |work=Malaysiakini |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/468163 |access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> === Sentencing and release of Đoàn Thị Hương === On 1 April 2019, the murder charge against Hương was dropped, and she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of "voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/vietnamese-suspect-kim-jong-nam-murder-prison-sentence-190401025712711.html|title=Vietnamese suspect in Kim Jong Nam murder handed prison term|first=Kate|last=Mayberry|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=1 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/international/20190401/vietnams-doan-thi-huong-sentenced-to-40-months-at-kim-jong-nam-murder-trial/49497.html|title=Vietnam's Doan Thi Huong sentenced to 40 months at Kim Jong Nam murder trial|publisher=Tuoi Tre News|date=1 April 2019}}</ref> She was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, but received a one-third reduction in her term, and was released on 3 May 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vietnamese woman in Kim Jong Nam murder trial to be freed May 3 |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/04/963a868952e6-vietnamese-woman-in-kim-jong-nam-murder-trial-to-be-freed-may-3.html |website=Kyodo News |access-date=13 April 2019 |date=13 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48142871|title=Kim Jong-nam: Vietnamese woman freed in murder case|work=BBC|date=3 May 2019}}</ref> == See also == * [[North Korea's illicit activities]] * [[List of assassinations]] == Notes == {{Reflist|group="nb"}} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{Wikinews inline|Kim Jong Nam}} {{Kim Jong-un}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Jong-nam}} [[Category:2010s in Kuala Lumpur]] [[Category:2017 murders in Malaysia]] [[Category:Assassinations in Malaysia|Kim Jong-nam]] [[Category:Chemical weapons attacks]] [[Category:Deaths by poisoning|Kim Jong-nam]] [[Category:February 2017 crimes in Asia]] [[Category:Filmed assassinations|Kim Jong-nam]] [[Category:Kim dynasty (North Korea)]] [[Category:Kuala Lumpur International Airport]] [[Category:Malaysia–North Korea relations]] [[Category:Targeted killing]]'