N Koreans suspected in Kim slaying

MALAYSIA’S investigation into the murder of the North Korean leader’s half-brother shows that the Pyongyang government was behind the assassination, South Korea said yesterday.

Malaysian police have arrested one North Korean suspect and are seeking four more North Koreans who left the country last Monday, the day Kim Jong-Nam was poisoned at Kuala Lumpur’s main airport.

“Based on various factors and considering that the five suspects are North Korean nationals, we view that the North Korean government is behind the incident,” said Seoul’s unification ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-Hee.

Jeong declined to provide further details, citing the continuing probe in Malaysia.

“As North Korea has been committing inhumane crimes and acts of terror, we are keeping a close eye on the latest incident with grave concern,” Jeong said.

Jong-Nam, the half-brother of leader Kim Jong-Un, died after an unidentified liquid was sprayed in his face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Seoul says the attack was carried out by female agents on Pyongyang’s orders. — AFP