DC: Malaysian authorities have identified the substance used to kill Kim Jong-un’s brother, and it is definitely not your average poison.
Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of the young North Korean dictator, was assassinated in Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia last Monday. Two women, who are believed to have intentionally coated their hands with a toxin, rubbed their hands on Kim’s face. He fell ill almost immediately and died en route to the hospital.
Malaysian authorities report that the chemical substance used to kill Kim was VX nerve agent, CNN reports. Samples were taken from Kim’s skin and eyes during the autopsy, and the poison was identified by the Centre for Chemical Weapons Analysis of the Chemistry Department of Malaysia, The New York Times revealed.
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With that stuff being so potent how did the assassins avoid the affects?
@joe, you stole my question.
Gloves?
I heard on one news report that the poison was on a handkerchief that was rubbed on Kim’s face. The assassins ‘alibi’ was that they thought it was a prank. This was on a local news channel in San Diego. I’m sure they picked up some national feed but I’m not sure which one.
This is the EXACT plot of The Interview, a Seth Meyer “comedy”.
Life= Art.
Kill the other one, and we’d have Kim Jong-none.
Nice people these North Koreans!
“What you do not smell is called iocane powder. It is odorless, tasteless, dissolves instantly in liquid and it is among the more deadly poisons known to man.”
As long as they keep it amongst themselves, I have no problem.
There are hand creams called “Invisible gloves” that mechanics use to protect their hands from solvents and other chemicals. They are undetectable and they work quite well. I’d suggest that the assassins used something similar to protect themselves from the nerve agent.
VX is the deadliest of nerve agents out there. 10 milligrams (0.00035 oz) kills you. High viscosity and low volatility, like motor oil. Hangs around for a long time. BTW – “iocane powder” is fictional, came out of the movie “The Princess Bride”. No such animal.
VX is bad ju-ju. Saw the films of animal testing during a 3 week course in the Army. Those bunnies died a horrible death.
Jimbo….That’s inconceivable
I would have figured it was ham.
Lord, I apologize for that one there, and please be with all the starving Pygmies down there in New Guinea! Amen.
joe6pak – How does anyone know that the assasins did or did not avoid the effects?
VX is nasty and persistent (kind of like Elizabeth Warren only more likeable) and I can’t see anything they could wear that would protect them from a smidge coming off their hands onto their skin. It will sure be interesting to hear the full story.
Rat Fink, they have captured some of them haven’t they? They probably did have some exposure, but you didn’t see them hit the ground. I’m pretty sure I would want to mess with that stuff.
not want to mess with
re joe6pak. I’ve seen the “Kiss of Death” Get Smart episode. Is the correct answer “Plastic Lips?”
Bcattin – what’s inconceivable? That this stuff is as deadly as it is? You can make book on it.
Back in the day I blogged/followed North Korean news. However, the sources and reporting sucked. However, this stuff is reported by the BBC and TIME
following the story at
https://www.facebook.com/goodstuff4u/posts/10155888504648677
It would take a very long time to kill
all the Kims in north korea. But it’s a good
start.
@bcattin, you said “inconceivable”.
I don’t think it means what you think it means.
Now I’m going back to looking for the six fingered man.
“inconceivable” is a quote from the Princess Bride. as is iocane powder