The DPRK said it would "categorically reject" Malaysia's autopsy report on the death of the man identified by Malaysian authorities as the estranged half-brother of DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Nam died in Kuala Lumpur this week after being assaulted at Kuala Lumpur International Airport with what was thought to be a fast-acting poison. 

South Korean and US officials have said he was assassinated by DPRK agents.

In the country's first comments since the man's death, DPRK envoy Kang Chol demanded that his body be released immediately.

"The Malaysian side forced the post-mortem without our permission and witnessing," Kang told reporters outside the hospital late on Friday. "We will categorically reject the result of the post-mortem."

He also accused Malaysia of "concealing something" and "colluding with outside forces." His statement made no reference to the identity of the man.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the ambassador's remarks. But the country's top cop said Malaysian rules must be followed.

"We have rules in Malaysia. Whilst in Malaysia, everyone has to obey and follow our rules and regulations," Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told Reuters.

The DPRK embassy officially requested on Thursday that the body of Kim Jong Nam be released. It had earlier tried to persuade Malaysian authorities not to carry out an autopsy.

Malaysian police said on Friday it would not release the body until it receives DNA samples from his next-of-kin.

Malaysia is one of the few countries that the DPRK has diplomatic relations with.‍

The DPRK rejected Malaysia's request for a post-mortem, because "he is a diplomatic passport holder and our citizen who is under the consular protection of the DPRK," Kang said, adding that Malaysia had initially said the man died from a heart attack.

"We will respond strongly to the moves of the hostile forces towards us with their intent to besmirch the image of our republic by politicizing this incident," he said. He suggested the DPRK would take legal action, in an international court.

In a written statement that was also released to the media, the envoy accused South Korea of trying to distort public opinion.

(Source: Reuters)