Malaysia seeks Interpol intervention in Kim death case

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Malaysia has officially requested Interpol to investigate four North Korean suspects in connection with the killing of the estranged half-brother of the reclusive state’s leader Kim Jong-un.

Malaysia's inspector general of police revealed Thursday that the request asks Interpol to place an alert to apprehend the suspects, believed to be directly involved in last week’s alleged assassination of Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur.

Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that Malaysian police believe the four have made their way back home.

"We have also sent an official request to the North Korean embassy requesting to interview the second secretary and the airline official, which we suspect to have links to the murder case,” he said.

"If you have nothing to hide, you should not be afraid to cooperate, you should cooperate," he stressed.

Bakar said police cannot issue an arrest warrant for the second secretary as he has diplomatic immunity.

"However, for the airline official, if he fails to cooperate, the process of law will take place," he warned.

Malaysian police have placed the embassy official, Hyon Kwang Song, and the Air Koryo airline employee on a wanted list.

The killing of Kim Jong-nam 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 accusation that the government had something to conceal with regard to the death at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.