4 computers dumped outside North Korean embassy in KL

The North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 9, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Exactly a month after the high profile assassination of Mr Kim Jong Nam, three laptops and a desktop computer were dumped outside the North Korean embassy, all with their hard disk drives missing.

The four computers also looked like they were deliberately damaged, with multiple cracks on the laptops' screens, broken keyboards and excessive dents on them.

It was believed that the computers were thrown out in the early hours on Sunday (March 12) when journalists who have been staking out at the embassy at Jalan Batai left for the night.

Also discarded were empty liquor bottles, cigarette cartons, flowers, flower stands and other common household rubbish.

The only activity seen was when embassy counsellor Kim Yu Song and another man left the building in an MPV at 11.30am. They returned 35 minutes later.

Scores of motorists passing by the road slowed down to look, while some stopped to take photographs.

At around 4.45pm, a scrap material collector came and took the computers and the glass bottles away.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed on Friday that the man killed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb 13 was Kim Jong Nam.

The authorities believe that the embassy's second secretary Hyon Kwang Song, 44, and Air Koryo member of staff Kim Uk Il, 37, are still in the country.

They are believed to be holed up inside the embassy.

It was learnt that the North Korean high-level delegation sent here from Pyongyang wants the two men to be allowed to return to their country and Mr Kim Jong Nam's body to be released to their government.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for Kim Uk Il and a letter requesting Mr Hyon Kwang Song's cooperation was sent to the embassy.

Meanwhile, members of the press, including foreign journalists, looked fatigued after weeks of staking out at the embassy.

A reporter from a Japanese television network, who declined to be named, said he had just arrived in Malaysia a week ago to replace his colleague who was here earlier.

He said there were around 30 media representatives from various Japanese news agencies and television networks.

Another reporter from Bangkok hoped that the entire saga would come to an end soon.

"This is now my second week here. We're not sure when we'll get to go back. As long as Jong Nam's body is still here, I guess we'll still be here," she said.

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