Kim Jong-un ‘ordered’ half-brother’s killing, South Korea says

Malaysian authorities have said they will not release the remains without a Kim family DNA sample, promising police protection to any of Kim’s relatives who come to Malaysia to provide one.

Malaysia apprehended the two women it says are seen on the tape: Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia. Surveillance video appears to show two women approaching him and covering his face with a cloth.

They have said they thought they were taking part in a TV prank.

Each faces a mandatory death sentence if convicted. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within about 20 minutes of the attack. But the second secretary of the North’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who is suspected of transporting the VX nerve agent used to kill Kim, is still believed to be hiding at the embassy.

On allegations that two Malaysia-based companies have been engaged in North Korean arms operations, as reported by Reuters yesterday, Zahid said the case will be handled by the Registrar of Companies (ROC).

KIM JONG-SUK: North Korean founder Kim Il-sung and his first wife Kim Jong-suk gave birth to their son Kim Jong-il in 1941. Asked if the North Korean will be charged, Mr Apandi said it depends on the outcome of the investigations. As they left, they were made to wear bullet-proof vests, reflecting Malaysian authorities’ fears that others involved in the killing could want the women silenced.

One North Korean man, identified by police as Ri Jong-chol, is still in police custody and has not been charged yet.

North Korea’s official news agency said on Wednesday that the finding was the “height of absurdity”, saying the two women could not have used such a deadly toxin without killing or sickening themselves and anyone around them.

“We have our experts who are qualified to determine the cause of death of Kim Chol”.

Earlier this month, Seoul said North Korea fired Won Hong in January over corruption, abuse of power and torture allegedly committed by his agency.

Malaysia is looking to take even stronger measures should the North refuse to cooperate. The nerve agent is classified as a weapon of mass destruction and banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention-which North Korea, along with only three other countries, has not signed. She had gone out to celebrate her birthday with friends in Kuala Lumpur the night before.

A senior Malaysian official told AFP that the government was mulling further “downgrading diplomatic ties” with North Korea.

Italy’s U.N. Ambassador, Sebantiano Cardi, who chairs the so-called 1718 Sanctions Committee (named after the resolution) that issues the report, told CBS News: “It is clear that North Korea is evading the sanctions, there can not be any mistake”. Caty Weaver was the editor.