Key developments in Kim Jong Nam assassination investigation

Representatives from Vietnam’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur met with Doan Thi Huong, 28, and confirmed she is in good health, according to a statement issued Saturday.

Malaysia’s health minister has said Kim Jong Nam died within “15 to 20 minutes” after he was poisoned with toxic chemicals.

Officials further affirmed that Huong is from the northern province of Nam Dinh, confirming statements issued by Malaysian police and the worldwide press over the past week.

As for how the two female suspects survived, experts say people exposed to VX are at less risk if they wash it off quickly, and there is an antidote to the toxin available, which they could have been carrying.

The outcome of the medical examination is unknown.

In addition to the two women, police arrested a North Korean man believed to be an IT worker at a Malaysian herbal supplements company.

They are also seeking seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with the case, including a diplomat at the embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian teams equipped with gas masks and specialised detection machinery descended on Kuala Lumpur airport’s terminal two early Sunday, accompanied by forensic experts and officials from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board.

People were anxious about the use of the highly toxic agent, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said.

Sathasivam also said rescue workers who transported Kim to hospital may have been exposed to the poison, which is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN.

Abdul Samah, the police official, said police are tracing the suspects’ steps to ensure public safety. But Malaysia’s announcement Friday that his death was caused by VX, a lethal nerve agent banned under the global Chemical Weapons Convention, proved the final straw.

VX is considered to be the most toxic nerve agent ever produced.

The Indonesian woman being held over the assassination said earlier she had been paid Dollars 90 for taking part in what she thought was a TV prank show.

Malaysian police believe the man is a North Korean.

The people in Malaysia should be 100% behind the government on any kind of action it would take over diplomatic ties with North Korea, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. The two women and a North Korean have been detained in Kuala Lumpur.

The thick, oily poison was nearly certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, experts say, and is banned under worldwide treaties.

Lee Cheol Woo said the executions were carried out using anti-aircraft guns.

Mr Khalid said there could still be traces of the chemical at the scene following the incident.

“Let us get it checked first”, he said.