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Malaysia’s ambassador to North Korea says he still works in Pyongyang

Media reports said earlier that the ambassador had been summoned to Malaysia for consultations amid the investigation into the death of Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of the North Korean leader

PYONGYANG, February 20. /TASS/. Malaysia’s Ambassador to North Korea Mohamed Nizan Mohamad is currently in Pyongyang, head of the diplomatic mission told TASS on Monday.

"I’m still fulfilling my duty in Pyongyang," the ambassador said.

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Media: North Korean leader’s half-brother murdered in Malaysia

Mass media reports said earlier that the ambassador had been summoned to Malaysia for consultations amid the continuing investigation into the death of Kim Jong-nam, the elder half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

On February 13, Kim Jong-nam felt unwell at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and died on the way to a hospital. According to police, Kim Jong-nam told the airport’s staff that he had been splashed with an unknown liquid. South Korean media reported that unidentified women had attacked him with "poisoned needles." Other reports suggested that an unknown woman had approached him and placed a fabric with alleged toxic substance over his face. None of the theories have been confirmed so far.

The autopsy report on his death may be published on Wednesday, Malaysia’s Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam told reporters.

North Korea still keeps silence on the incident. There is no mention of Kim Jong-nam’s name in local media.

Kim Jong-nam is the eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. His mother was famous North Korean actress Song Hye Rim. He was widely considered to be the heir of his father, but later fell out of favor. Kim Jong-nam had lived abroad for many years, namely in Macau.

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