KUALA LUMPUR: Kim Jong-nam's body was identified by the DNA provided by his son, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said Malaysian officials had gone "to the location of the son" to retrieve the needed DNA.

"We went there and collected the DNA," he told reporters at Parliament lobby Thursday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, would not reveal the whereabouts of Jong-nam's son or details of the DNA.

He also said he would check on documents that were submitted by Jong-nam's next-of-kin on the final disposition of the body.

"I will check on the (DNA) consent document, the list made by the next-of-kin to the Malaysian Government through the (foreign) ministry.

"And yes, the police will make a decision based on their request," he said, adding that the North Korean embassy was in no position to claim the body without the approval of the next-of-kin.

On negotiations between the two countries to bring back the nine Malaysians barred from leaving North Korea, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the talks had been ongoing since Monday.

"I don't have to reveal where and with who and it has not gone to the higher level.

"The timing of the negotiations would be subject to the recommendations of the high-level officers," he said.

On Wednesday, Dr Ahmad Zahid disclosed that the man who was murdered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 was the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid had confirmed that Jong-nam's family had asked that the Malaysian Government handle his remains.

Jong-nam was murdered when two foreign women smothered his face with the VX nerve agent on Feb 13 while he was waiting for a flight to Macau.

The women have been charged with murder.