2 Women to Be Charged in Kim Killing

Two women accused of wiping chemicals on the face of Kim Jong Nam in what they say they thought was a prank will be charged with murder, Malaysian officials announced Tuesday. Siti Aisyah of Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam will face a mandatory death sentence if convicted, reports CNN. Both women have said they had no idea they were involved in a plot to kill the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but Malaysia isn't buying that story, per the New York Times. The women allegedly rubbed liquids on Kim's face in quick succession at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Feb. 13. Officials say the liquid was banned chemical weapon VX, which resulted in Kim's "very painful death" within 20 minutes.

It's not yet clear if a North Korean man in custody will also be charged, reports the BBC. However, a North Korean delegation led by Ri Dong-il, former deputy ambassador to the United Nations, has arrived in Kuala Lumpur to seek his release, as well as that of Kim's body. The group will also discuss "the development of friendly relations between DPRK and the Malaysian government," Ri says. Another North Korean delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Ri Gil-song has arrived in Beijing, apparently to calm tensions heightened last week by a sniping newspaper column, reports the Times. Ri is to meet with China's foreign minister during the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says. (Malaysia is still seeking a North Korean diplomat.)