How Kim Jong-un Ordered the Assassination of His Half-Brother
The assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was a shocking and brazen act of violence that exposed the ruthless and paranoid nature of the Pyongyang regime. It also raised questions about the role of foreign intelligence agencies, the motives of the killers, and the implications for regional security and human rights.
Kim Jong-nam was once seen as the heir apparent to his father, Kim Jong-il, who ruled North Korea with an iron fist for 17 years. But he fell out of favor after a botched attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland in 2001 using a fake passport. He then lived in exile, mostly in Macau, where he enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and occasionally criticized his half-brother’s policies.
According to some reports, Kim Jong-nam was also a source for the CIA and other intelligence agencies, who sought to gain insights into the secretive and nuclear-armed state. He may have been in contact with a CIA operative on the day of his death, when he was attacked by two women who smeared a deadly nerve agent, VX, on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.
The women, who were from Indonesia and Vietnam, claimed that they were duped into thinking that they were participating in a prank for a TV show. They were later released after a lengthy and controversial trial, while the four North Korean agents who orchestrated the plot escaped and returned to their country.
The murder of Kim Jong-nam was widely condemned by the international community as a violation of international law and human rights. It also highlighted the dangers of North Korea’s chemical weapons program, which poses a threat to its neighbors and the world. Moreover, it revealed the extent of Kim Jong-un’s paranoia and insecurity, as he eliminated a potential rival and a symbol of dissent.
However, the assassination also had some unintended consequences. It sparked a diplomatic crisis between Malaysia and North Korea, which led to the expulsion of their respective ambassadors and the cancellation of a visa-free travel agreement. It also increased the pressure on China, North Korea’s main ally and patron, to rein in its rogue partner and enforce sanctions. It also generated sympathy and attention for Kim Jong-nam’s family, especially his son, Kim Han-sol, who publicly denounced his uncle and expressed his desire for freedom and democracy.
The assassination of Kim Jong-nam was a tragic and senseless act that showed the dark side of North Korea’s regime. It also exposed the challenges and risks of dealing with a rogue state that defies international norms and values. It is a reminder that the world cannot ignore or appease North Korea, but must work together to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the nuclear crisis and the human rights abuses.
