Assassination Investigation

[Anchor Lead]

One of the suspects in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam who fled to North Korea has been confirmed as a North Korean diplomat. This strongly suggests Pyongyang's involvement in Kim's murder.

[Pkg]

The Japanese broadcaster NHK has reported that one of the suspects in the assassination of the North Korean leader's half-brother who fled to the North right after the crime was a North Korean diplomat named O Jong-gil. The report said that he served as second secretary at the North Korean embassy to Jakarta until 2015 and that he appears to have met the female suspects who carried out Kim Jong-nam's murder in January in Indonesia.

[Soundbite] NHK : "Indonesia's intelligence agency believes O Jong-gil was a N. Korean diplomat based in Jakarta"

Meanwhile, Malaysian authorities have said they will hold official talks with North Korea in a matter of days as requested by the North. During the talks, Malaysia is expected to ask for the swift return of its nationals held in the North, while Pyongyang is likely to request the repatriation of North Korean suspects Hyon Kwang-song and Kim Uk-il and the return of Kim Jong-nam's body.

[Soundbite] Anifah Aman(Malaysian Foreign Minister)

Foreign media have reported that Pyongyang is also tightening its grip on North Korean diplomats stationed overseas by hampering them from reading the news about Kim Jong-nam's assassination.