Chemical weaponsLarge dose of VX killed Kim Jong-nam in 15-20 minutes

Kim Jong-un is suspected of ordering the assassination of his half brother // Source: theconversation.com

Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korea’s leader, was attacked with a large doze of VX which caused his death within 15-20 minutes after being poisoned by a nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur airport, the Malaysian  health minister, S. Subramaniam, said on Sunday. The BBC reports that notes tat VX is considered to be the most toxic nerve agent ever produced, and it is classified by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction. People exposed to VX either through inhalation or skin contact typically die within half an hour as a result of nervous system paralysis or suffocation.

“The amount of the VX was so high that it affected his heart and lungs. The absorption was very rapid, and that resulted in him being killed in 15 to 20 minutes” after exposure, Subramaniam said.

Separately, Hilmi Yahaya, deputy health minister, said that the VX found in Kim’s body has never before been seen in Malaysia’s recorded history.

Kim died after falling ill on 13 February at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after two women wiped his face with the nerve agent.

Some experts have suggested that the two women might have each smeared Kim’s face with two different non-lethal elements of VX, which became deadly when mixed on his face.

The two women assailants – one Indonesian, the other Vietnamese – told Malaysian police that they were paid $90 each for the operation, and that they were told it was a prank. They also said that they were instructed to wash their hands immediately after the attack.

The Malaysian authorities have so far detailed seven individuals suspected of being involved in the attack – one of thema North Korean national suspected of producing the VX used to kill Kim.

VX: The facts

—- The most potent of the known chemical warfare agents, it is a clear, amber-colored, oily liquid which is tasteless and odorless

—- It is substantially more potent than the nerve agent sarin, but works in a similar way

—- Works by penetrating the skin and disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses - a drop on the skin can kill in minutes. Lower doses can cause eye pain, blurred vision, drowsiness and vomiting

—- It can be disseminated in a spray or vapor when used as a chemical weapon, or used to contaminate water, food, and agricultural products

—- VX can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact

—- Clothing can carry VX for about 30 minutes after contact with the vapor, which can expose other people

—- Banned by the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention