The man was identified as Ri Jong Chol, born in 1970. He was arrested on Friday night in Selangor, near Kuala Lumpur, the police said in a statement.

"He is suspected to be involved in the death of a North Korean male," read the statement.

Malaysia's Star newspaper reported the man was detained around 11pm on Friday evening.

Three more men were still being sought in connection with the killing of the 45-year-old at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday, while two women - carrying Indonesian and Vietnamese passports - are being questioned over their involvement in the case.

Mr Kim, who was waiting to board a flight to Macau, died after a chemical was apparently either sprayed or wiped on his face with a cloth. An autopsy has been conducted but a senior Malaysian official said a second examination would have to be carried out as the result of the first one was inconclusive.