Abstract
Kim Jong-nam (10 May 1971 - 13 February 2017) was the eldest son of Kim Jong-il, leader of North Korea, and the estranged half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. From roughly 1994 to 2001, he was considered the heir to his father.
Following a series of actions showing dissent to the North Korean regime, including a failed attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland in May 2001 by entering Japan with a false passport, he was thought to have fallen out of favour with his father. On 13 February 2017, Kim was allegedly murdered by two women who fled after the crime.
The murder was commited in Malaysia during his return trip to Macau, at the low-cost carrier terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Initial reports suggest that Kim Jong-nam was murdered by VX, a type of agent used in chemical warfare.
Toxicological tests showed the presence of VX in Kim's eyes and face. What is the agent VX and could this toxic substance cause the death of Kim?