DHAKA: Two women accused of killing Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader, have been charged with his murder.

The women, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, allegedly smeared deadly VX nerve agent on Kim's face in Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13.

They appeared in court near Malaysia's capital, protected by Special Forces.

They could face the death penalty if convicted of murder.

No plea was recorded in the magistrates' court as only higher courts have jurisdiction over murder cases. But after the charge was read out, Doan Thi Huong said “I understand but I am not guilty,” in English.

It is widely believed that North Korea was responsible for the attack, which it fiercely denies. Kim Jong-nam, was openly critical of the North Korean regime.

They will appear again on April 13, when prosecutors will apply for them to be tried jointly in a higher court. The charges were read first against Aisyah, then against Huong, both of whom were in handcuffs.

Both women have previously said they were paid to take part in what they thought was a TV prank.

Other suspects in the killing include a senior official at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur and a staff member of the state airline. South Korea believes at least four suspects are North Korean spies.

Kim Jong-nam, 42, was at a check-in desk for a flight to Macau, where he lives, when he was accosted.

His face was smeared with the toxic nerve agent VX - an internationally banned chemical weapon - and he died within 15-20 minutes, Malaysia's health minister said on Sunday.

BDST: 1915 HRS, MAR 1, 2017
AP