Exclusive: North Korean suspects in Kim Jong-nam murder 'hiding' in Pyongyang's embassy in Kuala Lumpur

Two North Koreans suspects in the murder of Kim Jong-nam are believed to be "hiding" inside Pyongyang's embassy in Malaysia, security sources have told the Telegraph.

Tensions between the two countries are high following the killing of the half-brother of Kim Jong-un, North Korea's "Supreme Leader", at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last Monday.

On Wednesday, Malaysian police stated Hyon Kwang Song, a senior North Korean diplomat who works at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was still in the country. He holds the rank of second secretary at the embassy.

The Telegraph can reveal that Malaysian officials believe the 44-year-old is holed up inside the embassy in the west of the capital.

North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur

"Hyon Kwang Song is the supervisor of the whole plot," a senior Malaysian security source who did not want to be named told the Telegraph. "His role was to supervise all arrangements and report to the ambassador. He is hiding in the embassy."

The second North Korean suspect, Kim Uk Il, is also being sheltered at the North Korean embassy, Malaysian officials believe. 

The 37-year-old is employed by Air Koryo, North Korea's state-run airline and co-ordinated with four other North Korean suspects at the airport, the source said.

Khalid Abu Bakar, Malaysia's inspector general of police, said: "The Malaysian police will issue a warrant of arrest if the North Korean side does not hand over the two suspects."

Police are expected to issue a formal arrest warrant for the two men before the end of the week.

Authorities have already contacted the North Korean ambassador to Malaysia to ask him to hand the men over.

The North Korean embassy in Malaysia did not respond to a request for comment.

A third North Korean suspect on the run, named by police as Ri Ji U, is also believed to still be in Malaysia. He is not thought to be inside the embassy, police said.

Four other North Korean suspects in the plot are back in Pyongyang, IGP Khalid, said.

An eighth North Korean suspect is in custody. Ri Jong Chol, who was arrested on Friday evening, lived in Malaysia for more than three years without working at the company registered on his employment permit or receiving a salary, it was reported on Wednesday. 

The two women - one Vietnamese, one Indonesian - who are believed to have carried out the fatal assault using a fast-acting poison were trained to wipe toxin on Mr Kim's face, then wash their hands, IGP Khalid said.

"Yes, the two female suspects knew that the substance they had were toxic. We don't know what kind of chemical was used," he said.

"They used their bare hands," he said, adding they were instructed to wash their hands afterwards.

It can also be revealed that the preliminary autopsy report shows a "normal" decomposition of Mr Kim's body, an unnamed official said.

"It is hoped the examination of face, nose and throat tissue may lead to a positive conclusion of poisoning," the official said. "Because the preliminary autopsy seems normal - the toxicology report will be the key."

Security is high amid fears that foreign governments could attempt to get hold of the autopsy report by bribing officials.

There was also an attempted break-in at the morgue earlier this week, IGP Khalid said. 

Malaysia has denied North Korea's request for the body to be handed over to its embassy directly.

Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of Kim Jong-un, in pictures