‘N. Korean suspect may still be in Malaysia’

SHAH ALAM: North Korean suspect Ri Ji Yu, 30, also known as James could still be in the country, the High Court learnt yesterday.

Investigating officer from the Sepang district police headquarters ASP Wan Azirul Nizam Che Wan Aziz admitted that Ji Yu’s name was not on the list of nine names contained in the letter by KLIA Immigration Department’s enforcement division head.

Wan Azirul Nizam confirmed that the letter dated Feb 23, which details the movement of the suspects in and out of the country, contained nine names including suspects Siti Aisyah, 25; Doan Thi Huong, 29; Hong Song Hak, 34; Ri Ji Hyon, 33; Ri Jae Nam, 57; O Jong Gil, 55; Kim UkIl, 37; Hyong Kwang Song, 44 and Ri Jong Chol, 46.

Cross-examined by defence counsel Gooi Soon Seng, he clarified that Jong Gil was not actually James, but Ji Yu.

To a question by Gooi, Wan Azirul Nizam said he was also unable to determine whether Ji Yu had left the country on Jan 17 on board MAS flight 763 from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh and returned to the capital on Jan 21.

He also confirmed that Siti’s handphone had contained at least a photo of Ji Yu which she had taken at KLCC.

Wan Azirul Nizam confirmed that another North Korean suspect Ri Jong Chol, who had been deported from the country on March 3, had been staying at the Dynasty Garden Condominium in Kuchai Entrepreneurial Park since May 23, 2015.

Following investigations, Wan Azirul determined that the unit belonged to Choo Chae Kheong.

Choo told him that Jong Chol had been renting the unit since May 19, 2015, consistently paying a rent of RM1,700 in cash between the 20th and 23rd of each month.

To Gooi’s question on Jong Chol’s source of US$38,000 (RM160,500) found in his possession, Wan Azirul said Jong Chol in his statement during questioning said the money was given to him by a North Korean named Kim Chun Hui and three others he was unable to recall on Oct 2016 to buy soft noodles to be sent to North Korea.

He also confirmed that Jong Chol had been driving a Peugeot owned by the North Korean embassy with the registration as 28-63-DC, from end of October 2015 until he was detained.

Wan Azirul Nizam said Jong Chol’s employer from Tombo Enterprise, managing director Chong Ah Kow, had testified that Jong Chol was a product development manager but it was only on paper for visa application purposes.