New York [USA], Feb. 24 : A preliminary report by the Chemistry Department of Malaysia has revealed that the chemical substance used to kill Kim Jong Nam was a VX nerve agent, an internationally-banned chemical weapon.
According to CNN, the Malaysian police said in a statement on Friday that tests on Kim's eyes and face revealed the presence of the substance.
Nerve agents are the most toxic and fast-acting substance known in chemical warfare - and VX is the most potent of all of them, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, died on February 13 before he was scheduled to board a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Macau.
Malaysian police claim two women wiped his face with some sort of liquid that poisoned him. Meanwhile, ties between Malaysia and North Korea have deteriorated as the latter has furiously denied any involvement in Kim's death and blamed the Malaysian side for showing an unfriendly attitude in handling the case.
Yesterday, Malaysia had asked Interpol to put out an alert for four missing North Korean suspects wanted in connection with the death of Kim Jong Nam.
Malaysian police have previously said the four suspects who are the subject of the alert are believed to be back in Pyongyang.
In addition to the four suspects, three North Koreans are wanted for questioning by Malaysian police, including Hyong Kwang Song, the 44-year-old second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Malaysia, and Kim Uk Il, an Air Koryo staff member.
Source: ANI