For the outside world, the brazen assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, the brother of North Korea’s leader, in Malaysia a month ago sparked a diplomatic standoff between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang and an investigation that has raised more questions than answers.

For the journalists covering the spy-novel-like killing, it has meant a monotonous, macabre and occasionally sleepless wait outside the North Korean embassy in the Malaysian capital, and the morgue where the victim's body has lain for weeks.

AFP's senior Malaysia correspondent Jegathesan Muniandy, Malaysia photo chief Manan Vatsyayana and Hong Kong-based journalists Sarah Lai and Ammu Kannampilly reflect on a tumultuous first week punctuated by overnight vigils and a scramble to keep up with unpredictable developments.