NORTH KOREA: The Assassination of Kim Jong Nam

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In the shadowy world of North Korean politics, one name stood out—Kim Jong Nam. He was the half-brother of Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and his life was marked by both privilege and peril. However, it was his shocking assassination that thrust him into the global spotlight, raising questions about the lengths to which the North Korean regime would go to eliminate perceived threats. 

In this blog post, we will delve into the life of Kim Jong Nam, from his early years to his tragic end, examining the circumstances surrounding his assassination.

Kim Jong Nam, in 2010 in Macau. 

EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY

Kim Jong Nam was born on May 10, 1971 in Pyongyang, North Korea. He the eldest son of Kim Jong Il, the leader of North Korea at that time, and a significant figure in the ruling Kim dynasty. Growing up amidst the corridors of power, he enjoyed a privileged upbringing, surrounded by the symbols of authority and influence. His mother was purportedly Song Hye Rim, one of Kim Jong Il's four romantic partners.

However, Kim Jong Nam's family history was intricately entangled with the complexities of North Korean politics. Initially regarded as a potential successor to his father due to his status as the eldest son, the enigmatic nature of North Korean leadership and the secretive regime made his future uncertain.

The clandestine nature of his parents' relationship, concealed because of Kim Il Sung's strong disapproval, had an impact on Kim Jong Nam's education. He was not sent to a regular school but instead lived with his aunt, Song Hye Rang, who provided him with homeschooling. She was his mother's older sister. 

During his formative years, Kim Jong Nam had the opportunity to travel to Russia to visit his grandmother. He also attended foreign schools in Switzerland and Russia. In 1988, he returned to North Korea. While he shared his father's passion for cinema, he did not harbor any ambitions to assume the dictatorial mantle of the family.

Kim Jong Nam's love for filmmaking was so profound that his father even established a small film studio for his use. During this period, as a young man, he made secretive trips to Japan beginning in 1995.

Kim Jong Nam and his father, Kim Jong Il

HEIR APPARENT? OR NOT?

In 1988, Kim Jong Nam assumed a senior role in North Korea's Ministry of Public Security, signaling his potential as a future leader. Rumors also circulated that he had been appointed as the head of the North Korean Computer Committee, responsible for developing the country's IT sector. 

A significant turning point occurred in 2001 when he accompanied his father on a trip to Shanghai, China. However, this year held both promise and adversity for his ascent to power. In May, Kim Jong Nam was arrested in Tokyo upon his arrival at Narita International Airport. He was apprehended with two women and a four-year-old child, claimed to be his son. He was traveling with a forged passport from the Dominican Republic, under the alias Pang Xiong, which roughly translates to "fat bear."

Following this arrest, he was deported to China, citing a desire to visit Tokyo Disneyland as his reason for the trip to Japan. The scandal caused such embarrassment to his father, Kim Jong Il, that a planned visit to China was canceled.

Despite his early prominence, Kim Jong Nam's standing waned within the North Korean leadership. Over time, he fell out of favor with his father due to perceived lack of ambition and an unconventional lifestyle. This marked the beginning of his detachment from the regime as he found himself increasingly excluded from the inner circle of power.

The North Korean leadership's preference for his younger half-brother, Kim Jong Un, further marginalized Kim Jong Nam, with profound implications for his future within the North Korean hierarchy.

Kim Jong Un, current Supreme Leader of North Korea, and Kim Jong Nam's younger brother 

LIFE IN EXILE

Facing diminishing prospects and an increasing sense of insecurity, Kim Jong Nam opted for a life in exile. By 2003, reports placed him in Macau, where his existence was shrouded in secrecy and marked by extreme caution. To evade detection by North Korean authorities, he assumed various aliases and maintained a deliberately low profile. Nevertheless, his connection to the ruling dynasty made him a constant target.

During his time in exile, Kim Jong Nam did not remain silent. He used the limited freedom he enjoyed to openly critique the North Korean regime. Through interviews and public statements, he voiced his concerns about the state of leadership in North Korea and called for reforms and change.

In an email to the editor of Tokyo Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, he asserted that his father had deemed him a capitalist after advocating for reform and the opening of North Korea's economic markets. This ideological shift was attributed to his education in Switzerland and exposure to more liberal Western ideals.

Often referred to as an "international playboy," Kim Jong Nam was known for his penchant for gambling, drinking, and business dealings. He also maintained close ties with the Chinese regime. Analysts even considered him a potential replacement for Kim Jong Un if the North Korean regime were to collapse, and China sought an alternative leader.

His outspoken criticisms strained his relationship with the DPRK's regime, heightening concerns for his safety. The mounting tension between Kim Jong Nam and North Korean authorities set the stage for the tragic events that would later unfold.

There had been at least two unsuccessful assassination attempts against Kim Jong Nam in the past. One in 2010 and another one in 2012. 

THE ASSASSINATION 

On February 13, 2017, a shocking assassination occurred at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. Kim Jong Nam, who had recently visited the resort island of Langkawi, arrived at Terminal 2 of the airport after 9:00 am. His intention was to catch the 10:50 am AirAsia Flight to Macau. 

Tragically, Kim Jong Nam fell victim to a swift and lethal attack by two women, Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam. These women smeared a toxic nerve agent known as VX on his face. Kim Jong Nam's life was cut short as a result of this attack.

From CCTV footage, it can be seen that the first woman came up and spread an oily substance on his face, and then disappeared. Then the second one came, from behind, and covered his eyes with her hands. After, she proceeded slide her hand down to cover Kim Jong Nam's mouth. She quickly apologized and walked away. 

The two women initially claimed they had been misled into believing they were participating in a prank for a television show. Video evidence seemed to support their assertion, as they handled the nerve agent in a way that suggested they were unaware of its deadly nature. Consequently, murder charges against them were eventually dropped. Huong, however, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of "voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means" and received a sentence of three years and four months. She was released from prison on May 3, 2019.

The meticulous planning evident in the use of the VX nerve agent, a deadly chemical weapon, and the public nature of the assassination left no room for doubt. Although the North Korean regime denied any involvement, it was widely believed to be behind the operation.

This assassination of Kim Jong Nam triggered a diplomatic crisis between North Korea and Malaysia. The Malaysian government's investigation into the murder resulted in the expulsion of North Korean diplomats from Malaysia, with North Korea responding in kind.

Internationally, the assassination garnered widespread condemnation. The deployment of a chemical weapon on foreign soil shocked the global community and raised concerns about North Korea's readiness to use such tactics to eliminate perceived threats.

Doan Thi Huong (left) from Vietnam, and Siti Aisyah (right) from Indonesia, were arrested for the murder.
THEORIES AND MOTIVES

The motives behind Kim Jong Nam's assassination remain a subject of speculation and intrigue. Several theories have been put forth, including the possibility that Kim Jong Nam posed a threat to his half-brother's regime or that he was seen as a potential rival to North Korean leadership.

Additionally, some believe that his public criticisms of North Korea and his advocacy for reforms may have made him a target. However, the true motives behind the assassination continue to be a source of debate and investigation.

CONCLUSION

The life and assassination of Kim Jong Nam are a testament to the intricate web of power, privilege, and danger that defines North Korean politics. From his privileged upbringing to his tragic end, Kim Jong Nam's story is a compelling narrative of a man caught in the crosshairs of political intrigue. His assassination shocked the world and left a lasting impact on the international stage, serving as a stark reminder of the secretive and unpredictable nature of the North Korean regime.

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