Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s long-serving ceremonial head of state and one of its most prominent diplomats, has died at the age of 97, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday.
According to state media, Kim passed away on Monday from multiple organ failure. Leader Kim Jong Un reportedly visited his remains to offer condolences, while a state funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
Born in 1928, Kim Yong Nam served for more than two decades as the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, a largely symbolic role that nonetheless positioned him as the country’s official head of state between 1998 and 2019.
He was known for his diplomatic skill, unwavering loyalty to the Kim family, and his prominent role in state ceremonies and propaganda.
Throughout his career, Kim played a crucial role in shaping Pyongyang’s foreign policy under Kim Il Sung and later represented the country at major international events.
In 2018, he led the North Korean delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, where he met then-President Moon Jae-in, one of the rare high-level exchanges between the two Koreas in recent years.
Despite his ceremonial title, Kim was regarded as a steady figure in North Korea’s leadership, surviving several political purges across decades of regime change. Analysts credited his deference to the ruling Kim dynasty as key to his longevity in power.
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep condolences, describing Kim as a long-time friend who contributed greatly to strengthening relations between Beijing and Pyongyang.
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