Chemical watchdog condemns use of VX nerve agent

The world’s chemical watchdog on Friday condemned the use of the deadly VX nerve agent in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jongun’s half-brother last month.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said its executive council “unequivocally condemned the use of any chemical weapon by anyone under any circumstances”.

The council, made up from 40 member states, called “for those responsible for the use of chemical weapons to be held accountable”.

It also asked its director-general, Ahmet Uzumcu, to “provide technical assistance upon request from Malaysian authorities for its national investigation”.

“The council underscored its deep interest in receiving and considering the official results of the investigation” once completed by Malaysia.

On Friday, it was confirmed that the man assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb 13 was Kim Jongnam, half-brother of Jong-Un.

Malaysian authorities had earlier declined to officially confirm the victim’s identity or release his body.

The 45-year-old’s wife and children, who were living in exile in the Chinese territory of Macau, have since gone into hiding over fears that his 21-year-old son, Han-sol, could be seen as a potential rival by his uncle, Jong-un, in a country roiled by bloody purges.