DPRK says no trust in Malaysia’s ‘political’ probe

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Pyongyang cannot trust the investigation being carried out by the Malaysian police into the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), whom Malaysia has identified as the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, the DPRK's ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol said on Monday.

"It has been seven days since the incident, but there is no clear evidence on the cause of death and at the moment we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police even though it has yet to conclude,” Kang Chol told reporters outside the DPRK’s embassy in Malaysia.

DPRK’s Ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol speaks during a news conference at the DPRK embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 20, 2017./CFP Photo

He also denied that the body of the murdered man at the Kuala Lumpur airport belonged to Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of the DPRK leader, insisting that the victim was Kim Chol – which was the name on the passport the victim held.

Kim was reportedly on his way to Macao when he was poisoned by two women at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

Tracking Kim Jong Nam's travels since 2004. /CGTN Photo

Malaysia carried out an autopsy to determine the cause of the death last week, despite the DPRK expressing opposition to the procedure. Malaysia's Health Ministry said on Monday that the autopsy has been completed and that the results will be announced as early as Wednesday.

Malaysian private security guards stand guard outside the forensics department at Putrajaya Hospital in Putrajaya on February 14, 2017, where the body of a DPRK man suspected to be Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of DPRK’s leader Kim Jong Un is believed to be kept. /CFP Photo

The DPRK has repeatedly requested Malaysia release the body, and said that they would not recognize any autopsy by Malaysian authorities.

“The Malaysian police offered no evidence concerning the cause of the death - or the evidence that the murder had taken place,” Kang said, stressing that the investigation is “political”.

(Watch this video for more on the press conference by the DPRK’s ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol.)

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that his country has no reason to paint DPRK in bad light and that the inquiry would be “very professional.”

The case has given rise to a diplomatic spat between the DPRK and Malaysia, after Pyongyang accused Kuala Lumpur of colluding with “hostile forces.”

Malaysia has recalled its envoy from Pyongyang and on Monday summoned the DPRK's ambassador to explain his accusations that Malaysian authorities were in cahoots "with external forces" over the investigation.

This file photo taken on September 25, 2004 shows a man believed to be Kim Jong Nam, answering questions from Japanese reporters at the Beijing International airport. /CFP Photo

Seoul and Pyongyang exchange accusations

South Korea has pointed the finger at the DPRK, after Malaysia’s probe put five suspects from the DPRK in the frame.

Seoul cited what it called a "standing order" from DPRK leader Kim Jong Un to kill his elder sibling and recalled an alleged failed assassination bid in 2012.

“Taking into consideration the country's previous history of terrorism and inhumane activities, we believe that the DPRK is behind this incident. Please keep in mind that it is hard for us to actually disclose any information or intelligence regarding this matter,” said Hong Yong-pyo, South Korean Unification Minister, at a press conference also held on Monday.

However, the DPRK has accused South Korea of being involved in the case, in an attempt to take public attention away from its domestic political scandal concerning the impeachment of its president Park Geun-hye.

“The one who benefits from the incident is South Korea authorities who face a lot of political scandals. At the same time, it’s shown as the tone of the United States, which uses this opportunity, to force the THAAD deployment in South Korea,” Kang said.