Kim Jong Un’s Half-Brother Murdered in Malaysia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother has been killed in Malaysia, a government source said Tuesday.

Kim Jong-nam was assassinated on Monday in Malaysia, the source said without revealing details.

Cable TV broadcaster TV Chosun reported that Kim was killed at an airport in Malaysia after being attacked by two unidentified female agents with “poisoned needles.” The suspects fled the scene and Malaysian police suspected North Korea was behind the killing.

If confirmed, Kim’s case would mark the most high-profile death under the Kim Jong-un regime since the execution of Jang Song-thaek in December 2013, the once-powerful uncle of the current leader.

Kim Jong-nam is the eldest son of late former leader Kim Jong-il and is living in a foreign country without holding any official title. He was born from his father’s nonmarital relationship with Sung Hae-rim, a South Korean-born actress who died in Moscow. (YONHAP)