Former North Korean Head of State Kim Yong Nam Dies at 97
Kim Yong Nam, the former head of state of North Korea and a close associate of the ruling Kim family, has died. He passed away on Monday (November 3rd) at the age of 97 due to complications from cancer leading to multiple organ failure.
Al Jazeera reported the news on Tuesday (November 4th), citing the country’s state media.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that the 97-year-old politician died on Monday from multi-organ failure caused by complications of cancer.
KCNA stated: “Comrade Kim Yong Nam was a revolutionary of the older generation who made extraordinary contributions to the history of our party and our country. He ended his noble life at the age of 97.”
The news agency further reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects and offered condolences next to Kim Yong Nam’s body on Tuesday morning. His funeral will be held this Thursday.
Long-Serving Diplomat and Figurehead
Kim Yong Nam was a senior diplomat and a highly loyal politician to the Kim family, having led North Korea’s parliament for over two decades. He was known for delivering promotional speeches in a deep and resonant voice. He was frequently seen greeting foreign dignitaries on behalf of Kim Jong Un and his late father, Kim Jong Il.
His unswerving loyalty to the ruling Kim family allowed Kim Yong Nam to serve as North Korea’s nominal head of state for two decades, although he was not a member of the Kim family itself.
He served as the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea from 1998 until April 2019. This post holds the status of the country’s official head of state, though real power has consistently been held by the Kim family since the nation’s founding in 1948.
