KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 ― The assassination of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in a Kuala Lumpur airport will not affect ties between the two countries, the Malaysia deputy prime minister said today.

When asked by a reporter whether the killing would effect their diplomatic relationship, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: "No. We maintain and we would like to strengthen our relationship with any foreign country that has established their embassy here.”

South Korean intelligence chiefs say Kim Jong-nam was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight for Macau. ― AFP