By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR

A North Korean man believed to be a prime suspect in the killing of Kim Jong-nam, leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother, was arrested, Malaysian police announced Saturday.

The country's Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar said the 47-year-old suspect was detained Friday night, at the man's hiding place.

"The suspect went into hiding immediately after knowing that the police is hunting for four primary male suspects," he said in a statement on Saturday.

He was detained in a condominium near capital Kuala Lumpur.

Bakar said the suspect was identified as Ri Jong Chol, based on his passport details and was born on May 6, 1970 in North Korea.

Three more male suspects are being hunted by the Malaysian police to assist in the probe into the assassination.

Kim Jong-nam died on Monday after having apparently been poisoned as he waited for a flight in Kuala Lumpur.

Three suspects -- two women with foreign documents and a Malaysian man -- were arrested in connection with the death.