Kim’s murder: Malaysia recalls envoy to N-Korea

Kuala Lumpur, February 20 

North Korea and Malaysia today exchanged barbs over the investigation into the killing of leader Kim Jong-Un's brother, as footage emerged of the moment he was fatally attacked in Kuala Lumpur airport.

Malaysia's probe has put five North Koreans in the frame for the airport assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, but Pyongyang said it had no faith in the investigation and claimed Kuala Lumpur was in cahoots with "hostile forces".

The diplomatic confrontation gathered pace today when Malaysia recalled its envoy to North Korea and summoned Pyongyang's ambassador Kang Chol for a dressing down. But an unbowed Kang hit back.

“It has been seven days since the incident, but there is no clear evidence on the cause of death and at the moment we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police," he told reporters in the Malaysian capital.

Pyongyang has also criticised Malaysia for carrying out a post-mortem examination without North Korean permission — a complaint Kuala Lumpur said was groundless.

“The ministry emphasised that as the death occurred on Malaysian soil under mysterious circumstances, it is the responsibility of the Malaysian government to conduct an investigation to identify the cause of death," the foreign ministry said.

“The Malaysian government takes very seriously any unfounded attempt to tarnish its reputation. The Malaysian Government views the criticism... as baseless”.

Malaysian PM Najib Razak backed those running the probe, saying it would be “very professional”. “I have absolute confidence that they are very objective in whatever they do,” he said.

“We have no reason why we want to do something that would paint the North Koreans in a bad light. But we would be objective and we expect them to understand that we apply the rule of law in Malaysia.” CCTV footage aired on Japanese television gave the first public glimpse of the moment Jong-Nam was attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. — AFP

Son of murdered North Korean due in Malaysia  

The son of Kim Jong-Nam will arrive in the Malaysian capital late on Monday, according to an airline source and a media report. An airline source said Kim Han Sol was arriving in Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia flight from Macau. Malaysian authorities have said they will release the body to next of kin.

Pyongyang hits back, says probe politically motivated

North Korea’s top envoy in Kuala Lumpur has denounced Malaysia’s investigation into the apparent killing of Kim Jong-Nam, calling it politically motivated and demanding a joint probe into the death. “The investigation by the Malaysian police is not for the clarification of the cause of the death and search of the suspect, but it is out of the political aim,” Ambassador Kang Chol (pic) told reporters.