DPRK diplomat brushes off use of chemical weapons in DPRK man's death

KUALA LUMPUR -- A DPRK diplomat on Thursday brushed off Malaysia's investigation result that shows the DPRK man died here was killed by chemical weapon, saying he likely died of heart attack.

Ri Tong Il, spokesman of a DPRK delegation to Malaysia, said the DPRK man had a history of heart decease, had received treatment from time to time and normally could not travel without medicine.

Ri claimed that medicine for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure were found in the man's belongings.

Malaysian police said the man was killed by VX nerve agent.

Describing the chemical as highly toxic, Ri raised the question that how the man died on the spot while the two suspects survived and police and medics who attended to the man were not contaminated.

He said samples should be sent to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for verification.

Ri said his delegation had met with Malaysian officials to settle the issue and had made a request to have a look at the body for identification.

"The DPRK's request is simple, that is the return of the deceased body of the DPRK citizen as soon as possible," he said.

The two female suspects were charged with murder by a local court in Malaysia on Wednesday.