Traces of VX – listed as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations – were detected on swabs of the dead man’s face and eyes.
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“In Malaysia on February 13, a citizen of our Republic with a diplomatic passport was waiting to board an aircraft when he suddenly went into shock and subsequently died while being transported to the hospital”, the statement said, calling Kim’s death an “unexpected tragedy”.
At least one of the women has said she was tricked into attacking Kim Jong Nam, believing she was taking part in a comedy prank TV show.
The two women suspected of wiping the substance on Kim’s face are in custody.
The assassination threatens to end the diplomacy between Malaysia and the reclusive state. Experts believe that Saddam Hussein might have deployed the substance against Iraq’s Kurdish population in 1988. One is now being held in custody.
The Malaysian police inspector general has been talking with the press this week, but not answering many questions, saying instead that a lot of answers reporters are seeking are “subjects of the investigation”.
The suspected informant spent 10 days in a coma before dying. On Wednesday they also arrested 47-year-old Ri Jong Chol, a North Korean who had a Malaysian work visa for a small herbal medicine firm and lived in Kuala Lumpur with his wife and two children.
North Korea responded furiously to Malaysia’s insistence on conducting a post-mortem examination and has accused Malaysia of having “sinister” purposes.
Kim Jong Nam died on his way to the hospital..
Even a tiny amount of VX, less than would fill a thimble, can kill.
It can be administered through the skin and there is an antidote that can be administered by injection. The Centre for Chemical Weapons Analysis of the Department has carried out preliminary analysis involving 1.
” VX is known to be much more potent than other nerve agent because of its persistency”.
“The North Korea intelligence service has been very active in Thailand, Malaysia and in Indonesia and today pose a threat to the region”, Gunaratna said.
Exposure to a large dose of the agent may result in convulsions, loss of consciousness, paralysis and respiratory failure leading to death.
North Korea unsuccessfully tried to prevent an autopsy on the body, accusing Malaysia of working with South Korean and other “hostile forces”.
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“We have called the North Korean Embassy yesterday (Tuesday) to interview the two men and hope the embassy will give us their co-operation”.
