Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Kim Jong-nam murder suspect freed after charges dropped
Siti Aisyah speaks during a press conference at the Indonesian Embassy after her release in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 11. AP
By Jung Min-ho
Siti Aisyah, third from left, with officials from Indonesian Embassy during a press conference at the embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 11. AP
By Jung Min-ho
Siti Aisyah, one of two women charged with the murder of the estranged brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been released in Malaysia.
Aisyah, 26, an Indonesian woman charged with Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 30, with killing Kim Jong-nam by smearing VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport in 2017, was freed on Monday after the Shah Alam High Court approved prosecutors' request to drop the charges against her.
It is unclear why the prosecution made that request.
Aisyah and Doan claimed they had been tricked into carrying out the murder plan by North Korean agents, who told them they were playing a prank for a reality TV show. The two said they thought what they smeared on him was lotion.
“I feel happy. I did not know this will happen. I did not expect it,” Aisyah reportedly said.
Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana told reporters he was pleased with the decision and he would send Aisyah home as soon as possible.
But Doan's trial is expected to continue ― the prosecution has not indicated anything about her status.
Kim Jong-nam, older brother of Kim Jong-un, became estranged from the Kim family after he was caught trying to enter Japan in 2001 on a fake Dominican passport. Kim Jong-il was “embarrassed” by the incident and the son later settled in the Chinese gambling city of Macau.
After Kim Jong-un took over power in 2011, Kim Jong-nam reportedly feared for his safety.