North Korean leader's half-brother 'assassinated with poisoned needles' in Malaysia, sources

The estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been murdered in Malaysia, unconfirmed media reports claim.

South Korean TV said Kim Jong-nam was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur airport with poisoned needles.

Jong-nam was scheduled to take a flight to Macau from Malaysia on Monday morning, but is said to have died enroute to the hospital.

media reports in South Korea claim two female North Korean agents carried out the attack.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported the suspects had apparently fled the scene in a taxi and remain at large.

Malaysian authorities also confirmed Kim’s death, saying his body was awaiting a postmortem.

The eldest son of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il played no part in the regime and was forced into exile in 2013 following the execution of his uncle.

Since becoming leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un is thought to have presided over several purges.