By Lee Tae-hoon
Senior government officials denied speculation Thursday that Kim Jong-nam, elder half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has requested political asylum in South Korea.
"Rumors of Kim Jong-nam's asylum request have turned out to be based on a misleading message circulating on social media," a Ministry of Unification official said.
"We have yet to receive intelligence suggesting that he will defect to South Korea."
A Cheong Wa Dae official also ruled out the possibility that Jong-nam has expressed any intent to defect.
The 41-year-old has lived a life of reclusive luxury in Macau, allegedly under the protection of the Chinese government, since he was caught in 2001 trying to enter Japan on a fake passport.
A local media outlet reported Thursday that Kim has requested asylum in a foreign country and that he is under the custody of the South Korean government.
Jong-un, who succeeded their father Kim Jong-il as head of the communist regime, reportedly plotted an assassination attempt on his elder brother.
Some say that Jong-nam may seek asylum if Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s, does not guarantee him a secure life abroad.
They say it will be unlikely for Jong-nam to return to North Korea or hold any significant title under his brother's reign as it could be interpreted as a challenge to him.
Senior government officials denied speculation Thursday that Kim Jong-nam, elder half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has requested political asylum in South Korea.
"Rumors of Kim Jong-nam's asylum request have turned out to be based on a misleading message circulating on social media," a Ministry of Unification official said.
"We have yet to receive intelligence suggesting that he will defect to South Korea."
A Cheong Wa Dae official also ruled out the possibility that Jong-nam has expressed any intent to defect.
The 41-year-old has lived a life of reclusive luxury in Macau, allegedly under the protection of the Chinese government, since he was caught in 2001 trying to enter Japan on a fake passport.
A local media outlet reported Thursday that Kim has requested asylum in a foreign country and that he is under the custody of the South Korean government.
Jong-un, who succeeded their father Kim Jong-il as head of the communist regime, reportedly plotted an assassination attempt on his elder brother.
Some say that Jong-nam may seek asylum if Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s, does not guarantee him a secure life abroad.
They say it will be unlikely for Jong-nam to return to North Korea or hold any significant title under his brother's reign as it could be interpreted as a challenge to him.
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