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Son of assassinated Kim Jong Nam appears in YouTube video

The man identified as Kim Han Sol said he is with family after the death of his father.

By Elizabeth Shim
Kim Han Sol, the oldest son of slain Kim Jong Nam, appeared on a YouTube video for the first time since the assassination. Photo screenshot courtesy of Cheollima Civil Defense/YouTube
Kim Han Sol, the oldest son of slain Kim Jong Nam, appeared on a YouTube video for the first time since the assassination. Photo screenshot courtesy of Cheollima Civil Defense/YouTube

March 7 (UPI) -- A video of a young man who identifies himself as the son of the assassinated Kim Jong Nam has surfaced on YouTube.

Kim Han Sol, who is believed to be the eldest son of the slain older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, appears cool, calm and collected in the 40-second video that was uploaded by a group that identified itself as Cheollima Civil Defense on Tuesday, according to Channel NewsAsia.

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In the video, Kim says in a British accent that he is "from North Korea, part of the Kim family."

"My father has been killed a few days ago. I'm currently with my mother and my sister," Kim says, adding he is grateful for the help he and his family has received from unidentified groups and individuals in the wake of the assassination. "We hope this gets better soon."

Kim, 21, may have been planning to travel to Kuala Lumpur in February to claim the body of his father.

That trip never materialized, and the video released on Tuesday shows signs Kim is still concerned for his safety. He did not release information on his whereabouts.

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Do Hee Youn, an activist with the Citizens Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees, confirmed the man in the video is Han Sol.

The group Cheollima Civil Defense was responsible for protecting Kim Jong Nam's family, according to the report.

"We have in the past addressed other urgent needs for protection. This will be the first and last statement on this particular matter, and the present whereabouts of this family will not be addressed," the group's statement read, while thanking the governments of the "Kingdom of the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, and a fourth government" for assistance.

The video is quickly attracting attention online.

Commenters directly addressed Kim Han Sol below the video. One user said he hopes Kim stays safe while indirectly criticizing South Korea interrogation and vetting methods that apply to defectors.

Another commenter, Eun Kim, urged Kim to defect to the South before it becomes "too dangerous."

"God keep you safe," said another.

The Kim Jong Nam assassination is still under investigation.

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