Malaysian authorities confirm Kim Jong-nam killed by VX nerve agent

Malaysian health authorities confirmed VX nerve agent killed the man suspected to be
Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
As the toxin is categorized as the most dangerous of all nerve agents... the U.S. now considers
re-listing the regime as a terror sponsor state.
Oh Jung-hee starts us off.
The Malaysian health authorities have confirmed... that it was the VX nerve agent that killed
the man believed to be the North Korean leader's half-brother Kim Jong-nam.
The country's health minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said on Saturday... that autopsy
results showed... the VX toxin caused serious paralysis and killed him very quickly.
The authorities also thoroughly searched for any leftover toxin at Kuala Lumpur International
Airport over the weekend... because the substance does not evaporate easily... and on Sunday
declared the airport safe.
"We confirm, number one, there is no hazardous materials found in KLIA2.
Number two, KLIA2 is free from any form of contamination of hazardous materials.
And thirdly, KLIA2 is declared a 'safe zone'."
The odorless and colorless VX nerve agent is classifed as a weapon of mass destruction
by the United Nations... and is banned under the international Chemical Weapons Convention.
And now, because North Korea's chemical weapons could become another threat alongside its
nuclear and missile programs,... the U.S. is looking at putting North Korea back on
its list of state sponsors of terror.
Quoting U.S. government officials, Tokyo-based Kyodo News Agency reported... that the U.S.
is analyzing the apparent murder... to see if the North should be on the list.
North Korea was first listed by the U.S. in 1987 after the bombing of a Korean Air flight...
but it was removed in 2008 in exchange for progress in denuclearization talks.
To re-list a state, the U.S. requires specific evidence of the regime carrying out or supporting
terrorist acts,... and providing supplies and hideouts to terrorists.
The circumstances have made it less likely the U.S. and North Korea will resume dialogue.
The U.S. has called off the track 1-point-5 meeting with North Korean officials scheduled
for this week,... deciding not to issue visas for them.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is also set to discuss Kim Jong-nam's apparent
murder at Monday's session.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.

Malaysian authorities confirm Kim Jong-nam killed by VX nerve agent

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