Malaysian police expecting Kim family in next 48 hours

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysian police are anticipating the arrival of the next-of-kin of the North Korean leader’s estranged half-brother in 48 hours amid investigations into his suspected killing.

The deputy inspector general of police said Thursday that Kim Jong-nam’s next-of-kin will undergo medical tests and provide DNA samples to verify whether the deceased is indeed the older brother of Kim Jong-un.

“Even though we have not received any confirmation to-date on the arrival of next-of-kin, we are confident that it will happen in the next 48 hours," Noor Rashid Ibrahim told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Ibrahim, however, declined to name the relatives or provide further details due to security reasons.

On Wednesday, Malaysia’s police chief said two foreign women held over the suspected killing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week were trained murderers taught to coat their hands in poison and wipe them on Kim’s face.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Subramaniam Sathasivam said Thursday that the reason for Kim’s death can be confirmed next week after the verification process is completed.

"On the victim’s identity, we need additional material with us, like next-of-kin, previous data of the said person... we need to get that confirmed," he told a separate news conference.

The minister added that despite an ongoing police probe into the death, health authorities are confident about releasing post-mortem results next week.

He refused to comment on whether there was any indication of poison.

The death has overshadowed previously solid relations between Malaysia and North Korea.

On Monday, Malaysia announced that it had summoned the North Korean ambassador, Kang Chol, over his criticism of the investigation and accusation that the government had something to conceal.