Malaysia expels N. Korean ambassador over Kim Jong Nam murder

Ri Jong Chol, who was released due to insufficient evidence after being arrested for the murder of Kim Jong Nam, argued Friday that he was forced to confess to killing Kim. Ri is staying in Beijing before returning to Pyongyang and blamed Malaysian police for violating human rights. It is said that China, which has retaliated against South Korea’s THAAD deployment, is helping North Korea facing criticism over the murder of Kim Jong Nam.

Ri arrived at Terminal 3 of Beijing Shoudu International Airport at 00:20 on Friday(local time) and moved to the North Korean embassy in China. At the gate to the embassy, Ri suddenly said that Malaysian police threatened him to confess to killing Kim with fake evidence and presented mobile phone records, poison paper and even a photo of his family.

Ri’s claim was denounced as absurd by Malaysian authorities. National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Saturday that the suspect (Ri Jong Chol) was treated well and police followed strict standard operating procedures.

Malaysia decided to expel North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia Kang Chol on March 4, four days after it scrapped visa-free entry for North Koreans. Kang has angered the Malaysian authorities by disparaging the police investigation. Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry signaled the possibility of further actions, including severing diplomatic ties with North Korea, saying that Kang’s expulsion is only part of a process to “review its relations” with the reclusive state.

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com · In-Chan Hwang hic@donga.com