North Korea’s former nominal head of state and longtime ally of the ruling Kim family, Kim Yong Nam, has died at the age of 97. State media reported that he passed away on Monday, November 3, from multiple organ failure caused by cancer-related complications.
In a statement, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described him as “an old-generation revolutionary who made extraordinary contributions to the history of our party and country.”
On Tuesday morning, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects beside Kim Yong Nam’s body and offered condolences to his family. A state funeral is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Kim Yong Nam was one of North Korea’s most senior diplomats and a trusted associate of the Kim dynasty. From 1998 until April 2019, he served as president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, a position that carried the title of head of state but not the real power, which remained firmly in the hands of the Kim family.
For more than two decades, he was the face of North Korea’s diplomacy, welcoming foreign dignitaries on behalf of both Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un. Known for his deep, booming voice and highly charged propaganda speeches, he became a recognizable figure at state events and international meetings.
His death marks the passing of one of the last senior officials who bridged the eras of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un, symbolizing continuity in the regime’s leadership and loyalty to the ruling family.
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