Malaysia to return body of North Korean leader's half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia will return the body of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Un. This has been done on Pyongyang's request, although there are "procedures to be followed", the deputy prime minister told reporters on Thursday.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed Pyongyang had made the request when questioned by journalists after a meeting with regional business leaders, according to footage from the event.

"We will facilitate the request by any foreign government although there are procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honour our bilateral relations with any foreign country," he said.

Malaysian police have referred only to a Korean male in their official statements on the matter, but Hamidi confirmed his identity. "He carries two different identities, probably this is an undercover document and this is an authentic passport," Zahid added.

Kim, 45, was believed to have been in Malaysia on a passport bearing the name Kim Chol, a known alias, according to South Korean media.

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