TEMPO.CO, Tokyo - Step brother of the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un, is reported to be seen in Malaysia. Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-un's step brother, was said to be hiding out from the death sentence in his home country.
Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, reported that Jong-nam was sighted in a Korean restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. He was suspected to be in Malaysia due to the connections with his late uncle Jang Song-thack, who was executed along with 12 of his guards by Jong-un on December 2013. Because of this, Jong-nam escaped from the pursuit of Jong-un loyalists.
In 2011, he evaded an attempt at his life in Macau, where he was originally hiding. He was sentenced to death because he is considered to be Kim Jong-un's main rival for the Throne of North Korea.
Jong-nam was favored by his father Kim Jong-il. However, his charisma faded after he tried to visit Disneyland in Japan along with his wife and kids. After being pressured constantly by North Korean officials, he fled to Macau.
"He is and always will be the target of assassination [North Korean agents], Jong-un wants him dead," said Toshimitsu Shigemura, expert on North Korea from Japan, Thursday, January 23, 2014.
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