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| A woman in circle is strongly believed to be one of two suspects who assassinated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's older half-brother Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Feb. 13, 2017. / Yonhap |
By Ko Dong-hwan
Speculation is rife over who assassinated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's older half-brother Jong-nam in Malaysia, but two women are the main suspects.
Security camera footage at Kuala Lumpur International Airport shows a woman who is strongly believed to be one of two. In the video ― taken at 9:26 a.m. on Feb. 13, local time ― a short-haired woman in a white top and gray shorts, with a bag slung across her shoulder, is seen at a public transportation platform outside the airport building. Based on the time, she was filmed after the assassination.
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| Kim Jong-un, left, and Kim Jong-nam |
Malaysian police believe the women, suspected of being North Korean agents, fled in a taxi. But a Japanese government official said he has intelligence indicating that the suspects have died in Malaysia.
Kim was at the airport waiting for a 10 a.m. flight to Macau when the attack occurred. About 9 a.m., he reportedly sought medical help at the airport's reception desk, saying he was "dizzy" and that "a stranger swiped something on my face and left," according to reports. The "something" is now believed to be poisonous liquid. Early reports said Kim was attacked with poison needles.
Kim was taken to Putrajaya Hospital in Putrajaya, some 20-30 minutes from the airport, but died on the way.
The Royal Malaysia Police confirmed that "a 46-year-old North Korean male who sought initial medical assistance at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 customer service counter has died en route to hospital on 13 February, 2017."
They said the deceased was confirmed as Kim Chol, born in Pyongyang, indicating he was using a passport with a fake name. He had tried to enter Japan illegally with a fake passport years ago.
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| Malaysian private security guards stand guard outside the Forensics department at Putrajaya Hospital in Putrajaya on Feb. 14, 2017, where the body of a North Korean man suspected to be Kim Jong-Nam is believed to be kept. / AFP-Yonhap |
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| A van leaves the area outside the forensic department of Putrajaya Hospital in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 15, 2017. / AFP-Yonhap |
Many experts believe Kim was murdered because the North Korean leader saw him as a threat to take over the country should his leadership fail.
It is believed that China, considered North Korea's biggest backer, has grown tired of Jong-un's unbridled administration firing missiles and not conforming to international human rights policies and began eyeing Jong-nam as a possible replacement. Jong-nam had, while living outside the country, also criticized the state's hereditary regime succession through three generations.
Experts said Jong-un intercepted the intelligence and got rid of his half-brother to maintain his grip on power. He is suspected of executing some 100 government officials since he took office in late 2011.
Meanwhile, Jong-nam's body is still at the Malaysian hospital where local and international journalists have swarmed, prompting guards to beef up security around the building.
