The chief of the National Intelligence Service(NIS) says that North Korea had previously attempted to kill Kim Jong-nam, the elder half brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un in 2012.
 
NIS Director Lee Byung-ho told the parliamentary intelligence committee Wednesday that Kim Jong-nam begged the North Korean leader not to kill him and his family in a letter written in April 2012 after the assassination attempt.
 
Lee said following the assassination of Kim Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday, two female murder suspects fled from the scene in a cab and are believed to still be in Malaysia. The spy chief added that it is suspected that Kim was poisoned, although the exact cause of Kim’s death will be identified through an autopsy. 

While confirming that Kim Jong-nam was under the protection of China, the NIS director cited the North Korean leader’s personality may have been a reason his half brother was killed, despite the risk of aggravating relations with Beijing.
 
Lee said that Kim Jong-nam arrived in Malaysia a week ago and was at the airport to return home in Macao, adding that his son, Han-sol, is also believed to be staying in the Chinese territory. 

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