Half-brother of North Korean leader 'poisoned' in Malaysia

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been killed in Malaysia, a South Korean government source has said.


Kim Jong Nam, the older half brother of the North Korean leader, was known to spend a significant amount of his time outside the country and had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated state.

He was believed to be in his mid-40s.

Police in Malaysia have confirmed Mr Kim had died en route to hospital from Kuala Lumpur airport yesterday.

South Korea's TV Chosun said Mr Kim was poisoned at Kuala Lumpur airport by two women believed to be North Korean operatives, who were at large, citing multiple South Korean government sources.

South Korea's foreign ministry said it could not confirm the reports, and the country's intelligence agency could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Un are both sons of former leader Kim Jong Il, who died in late 2011, but they had different mothers.

Kim Jong Nam was believed to be close to his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was North Korea's second most powerful man before being executed on Kim Jong Un's orders in 2013.
 [rte.ie]
14/2/17