Malaysia to free North Korean arrested in Kim killing

It comes as Malaysia announced the visa-free arrangement with North Korea will be scrapped from Monday due to national security.

Handout photo released by the Royal Malaysia Police showing North Korean Ri Jong-chol, who was arrested in connection with the death of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader. MalaysiaShow more

KUALA LUMPUR // The only North Korean arrested over the airport assassination of Kim Jong-nam will be freed and deported, Malaysia said on Thursday.

The announcement came hours after Malaysia said it was scrapping visa-free travel for North Koreans.

Attorney general Mohamed Apandi Ali said Ri Jong-chol would be released on Friday.

“He is a free man. His remand expires and there is insufficient evidence to charge him,” Mr Apandi said.

A day earlier, two young women were charged with the murder of Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with a banned nerve agent.

Seven other North Koreans are wanted in connection with the killing, including a diplomat and an airline employee who are believed to be in Malaysia.

Four others are thought to have fled to Pyongyang on the day of the murder.

Mr Ri was arrested days after Kim suffered an agonising death after being attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he waited to board a flight to Macau.

CCTV footage shows two women approaching the heavyset 45-year old and appearing to thrust a cloth in his face.

Police say he suffered a seizure and died less than 20 minutes later before reaching hospital.

Swabs of the dead man’s face revealed traces of the VX nerve agent, a synthetic chemical so deadly that it is classed as a weapon of mass destruction.

South Korea has consistently pointed the finger of blame at North Korea for the assassination, citing what they say was a standing order from the North Korean leader to kill his half-brother, who lived in exile.

Pyongyang — which has never acknowledged Kim’s identity — has denied the charge and disputes the autopsy, claiming Malaysia is in cahoots with its enemies.

The poisoning has unleashed a serious diplomatic battle between Malaysia and North Korea. While it is not one of Pyongyang’s key diplomatic partners, Malaysia has been one of the few places in the world where North Koreans could travel without a visa. As a result, for years, it has been a quiet destination for North Koreans looking for jobs, schools and business deals.

That could all change after Kim’s death.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the visa-free arrangement with North Korea will be scrapped from Monday due to national security. “The government was implementing the change on the grounds of national security, Malaysian news agency Bernama quoted deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying.

The changes will take effect on March 6, after which North Koreans entering Malaysia will be required to obtain a visa, the report added.

Two female suspects in the attack, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, were charged with murder on Wednesday.

The women, who were brought to court surrounded by heavily armed police and security officers, could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

Both female suspects say they thought they were taking part in a prank video but police have dismissed the claims.

* Agence France-Presse and Associated Press