The half brother of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has reportedly died in bizarre circumstances.

Kim Jong Nam was attacked while waiting to board a flight at Kuala Lumpur airport in Malaysia.

Police say a woman approached him from behind and covered his face with a cloth laced with a toxic liquid.

He was declared dead shortly after.

The 46 year old was living in exile, and was critical of his brother's regime.

He was originally tipped to succeed his father Kim Jong Il as supreme leader.

However, he fell from favour in 2001, when he was caught trying enter Japan on a false passport.

He told officials at the time he wanted to visit Disneyland Tokyo.