Exclusive | Murdered Kim Jong-nam ‘felt he was living on borrowed time’ in Macau
Half-brother of North Korean leader had grown more fearful of safety but led ‘relaxing’ life in gambling hub without bodyguards, friend reveals
The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un moved around in Macau without bodyguards but confided in close friends that he felt like he was living on borrowed time before he was mysteriously murdered in the Malaysian capital on Monday, sources have told the Post.
A woman with a Vietnamese passport was arrested on Wednesday at Kuala Lumpur International Airport following a South Korean intelligence committee report that two Asian women were suspected of attacking Kim Jong-nam with poison at the same airport.
Kim seemed to be expecting his younger half-brother, who has a reputation for ruthlessness, to arrange for his execution someday but rarely wanted to talk about the regime, except for the odd quip about its pariah status, according to a source who was his friend in Macau.
The source, who had known Kim for a decade and spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fears for his safety, said: “He knew his life was at risk … and he was aware his brother was after him.”
The eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had arranged to meet the source and other friends on Tuesday in Macau for dinner. Instead, they received the stunning news of the death of their friend they called “John”.