Kim’s body in limbo in Malaysia

MALAYSIA: The body of Kim Jong Nam, who was murdered in Malaysia last month, is still in Kuala Lumpur, health minister Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said yesterday, amid reports the remains of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will soon leave the country.

What Malaysia eventually does with the body, and how far it pursues three North Koreans wanted for questioning, and believed to be hiding in the North Korean embassy, are central to negotiations to resolve a diplomatic row between the two formerly friendly governments, sources have said.

Malaysia is trying to secure the release of nine nationals who have been stranded in Pyongyang after North Korea, angered by the suspicion cast by the police investigation, imposed a travel ban on Malaysians leaving its borders.

In response, Malaysia imposed a tit-for-tat travel ban, and called on North Korea to immediately release all of its citizens.

There was speculation that some deal had been worked out this week, sparking media reports that the body was moved out of the hospital to a funeral parlour, and later was being prepared to be taken on a flight to Beijing.

Malaysia’s New Straits Times newspaper reported yesterday that the body was expected to go from Beijing to North Korea, without disclosing its source for the information.

But the health minister said the situation was unchanged.

’’As far as we are concerned there is no change in status quo,’’ Subramaniam said. The ministry cannot do anything with the body until they are given instructions by ‘‘those responsible for the body’’.

‘‘But the next of kin have not come forward to provide assistance on how the body is to be treated,’’ he said. – Reuters