TPR Podcast Episode #14: VX and the Assassination of Kim Jong-Nam

  On February 13, 2017 Kim Jong Nam — half-brother to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — was attacked by two women in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International airport. The attacks smeared some substance on his face. Within 10 or 15 minutes Mr. Kim collapsed in the airport medical clinic and died apparently in the ambulance on way to hospital.   Days later, Malaysian authorities announced that the nerve agent VX was detected in samples taken from Mr. Kim’s face.   Security camera footage from the airport showing the attack on Mr. Kim and its aftermath can be viewed here. In the video, the attack can be seen at 0:29. Shortly after this (0:42,) Mr. Kim can be seen talking with security personnel and describing the attack. He does not seem to be symptomatic or impaired at that point. At 1:08, Mr. Kim is walking to the airport medical clinic. His walk is somewhat stiff-legged but not, to my eyes, ataxic. At 1:14 he enters the clinic, and there are hints he might be having some problems with vision at that point. There is a jump cut, and staff is seen treating him after he collapsed. According to reports, the time from the attack to when Mr. Kim lost consciousness was 10 or 15 minutes. It was reported that his death was “very painful.”   Although some toxicologists questioned whether the circumstances surrounding Mr. Kim’s death really was consistent with VX poisoning, the presenting symptoms seem similar to those described in a previous attack, as rep...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Podcast Source Type: news