Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam today confirmed that Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un died between 15 and 20 minutes after he was smothered with VX nerve agent.

Dr Subramaniam said the deadly chemical caused serious paralysis which led to the death of the victim in such a short period of time.”

“The chemical has caused the victim’s vital organs to stop functioning as the lungs had failed to dilate.

“It caused the speedy reaction when the chemical touches the bare skin of a victim,” said Dr Subramaniam at a press conference, here today.

He also added that the Forensic Department’s result is parallel to that from the Health Ministry that revealed the victim was assaulted with chemical substance, organophosphate.

“We have faced cases involving poison consumption such as insecticide and Malaysian hospitals have the antidote to cure it. But the content of poison in the victim’s body is too high,” he said.

Jong Nam died on Feb 13 after being smothered at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) with VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

The police forensic team, fire department and Atomic Energy Licensing Board swept the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA2) at 1 a.m. on Feb. 26