Kim Jong Nam’s Son Makes First Video Appearance Since His Father’s Death
The son of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, appeared in a YouTube video Tuesday, marking his first public appearance since his father’s death last month. “My name is Kim Han Sol from North Korea, part of the Kim family,” he said before showing the camera his passport, which was blacked out. “My father has been killed a few days ago. I’m currently with my mother and my sister … We hope this gets better soon.” Cheollima Civil Defense, the group that posted the 40-second video, said it moved the three family members in response to an emergency request by Kim Jong Nam last month for extradition and protection. They were previously believed to be in Macau, though there was never any definitive confirmation of their location. Cheollima Civil Defense, whose website offers to protect North Koreans seeking to escape, said the video “will be the first and last statement on this particular matter, and the present whereabouts of this family will not be addressed.” Malaysian authorities have arrested two women in connection with the murder of Kim Jong Nam, who died in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport last month after being exposed to a nerve agent. Kim Jon Nam fell out of favor with his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2001 and is believed to have lived in exile ever since. He held no formal title and expressed no interest in power. Malaysian authorities, who are seeking the arrest of two North Koreans said to be hiding at the country’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, have accused Pyongyang of orchestrating the assassination. North Korea has denied involvement, and announced a ban barring Malaysians from leaving the country over the dispute. Malaysia retaliated with its own ban. Kim Han Sol, who spent most of his life living in Macau, said in a 2012 interview that he never met his grandfather, Kim Jong Il, or his uncle, Kim Jong Un, whom he described as a “dictator.”