Kim Yong Nam, former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has died at age 97, state media reported Tuesday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed his passing followed a prolonged illness.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, paid respects at Kim Yong Nam’s bier early Tuesday. The visit underscored Kim Yong Nam’s significance in DPRK leadership circles during his decades of service.
A state funeral will be held Wednesday under the direction of a 100-member national committee chaired by Kim Jong Un. The DPRK’s top governing bodies – including the WPK Central Committee and State Affairs Commission – jointly announced the arrangements, with public condolences accepted throughout Tuesday.
Kim Yong Nam’s career spanned critical moments in the DPRK’s modern history, including his tenure as the country’s nominal head of state from 1998 to 2019. His diplomatic engagements with multiple Asian nations positioned him as a key figure in cross-border relations during the early 2000s.
