Before his sudden death in Malaysia on Feb. 13, 46-year-old Kim Jong-nam had been on the North's hitlist after falling out of favor with the reclusive state's authoritarian regime, according to Seoul's intelligence agency.
With Malaysian authorities so far focusing on five North Korean suspects in connection with Kim Jong-nam's alleged poisoning, Hwang reportedly called on government officials to work with the international community to ensure Pyongyang "pays a due price for its terrorist act”. His comments came during a security meeting at 8.30 a.m. Monday morning (2330GMT Sunday), even though an investigation into the death is ongoing.
"If we put together the announcement by Malaysian authorities and various pieces of information and circumstances, it appears that the North Korean regime is behind this incident," Hwang was quoted as saying by local news agency Yonhap. The acting president also warned his country should be prepared for more provocations by the North that "could be staged to deflect international attention" from Kim Jong-nam's death.
North Korea drew a statement of condemnation from the United Nations Security Council for a barred ballistic missile launch on Feb. 12. Hwang took charge of South Korea in December following the parliamentary impeachment of Park Geun-hye, whose powers have been suspended pending a final ruling by the Constitutional Court.