North Korean envoy denies identifying deceased DPRK man as Kim Jong Nam

Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], Feb. 21 (ANI): North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia, on Monday, denied identifying the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) man, killed here last week, as Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. According to Chinese state owned Xinhua News Agency, ambassador Kang Chol, at a news conference in the front of the DPRK embassy, said an official document has been submitted to the Malaysian side, pointing out that "we did not know any other name except Kim Chol as written in the passport" of the deceased. The press conference was called after Kang was earlier summoned by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry. The Malaysian Foreign Ministry defended its investigation on the deceased man in a statement, that said the investigation has been conducted in the manner prescribed by Malaysian law. Malaysia has also recalled its ambassador in Pyongyang for consultation. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday that the deceased DPRK man was Kim Jong Nam. At a press conference, when asked if the man was confirmed to be Kim Jong Nam, Zahid replied, "yes, certainly yes." He said he was briefed by the police that the DPRK embassy had confirmed Kim's identity. Malaysian police had earlier also identified the deceased man as Kim Chol, according to his passport. For the unversed, Kim Jong-nam was allegedly poisoned last week at an airport in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Two women, one Indonesian and one Vietnamese, were among the first to be arrested. The Indonesian, named as Siti Aisyah, is said to have told Malaysian police that she had been paid to perform what she thought was a prank. According to reports, the Malaysian Police has also detained one North Korean suspect, Ri Jong-chol, and said they are looking for four more men, who may have already left the country. (ANI)