Kim Yong-nam, the last ceremonial leader of North Korea, has died at the age of 97, according to state media. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced his death on November 3, citing multiple organ failure after an illness. Kim, who was not related to current leader Kim Jong-un, served as head of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to 2019. He had previously held the position of foreign minister from 1983 to 1998. His passing marks the end of an era for North Korea’s ceremonial leadership structure, which has since been absorbed into the State Affairs Commission under Kim Jong-un’s leadership.
Kim Yong-nam had a long career that included significant diplomatic roles, particularly with the Soviet Union and Russia. Educated in the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1959, he studied history at Tomsk and Rostov State Universities. His connections to the USSR and Russia were evident in his frequent visits to both countries, including attending the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow in 2015 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018, where he met President Vladimir Putin. These interactions underscored his role as a bridge between North Korea and its former allies, even as the country maintained its isolationist policies.
Throughout his career, Kim Yong-nam played a measured but important role in relations with Seoul. South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed condolences on Kim’s passing, highlighting his contribution to opening talks by leading Pyongyang’s delegation to the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Chung recalled “meaningful discussions on peace and South-North relations” during their meetings in 2005 and 2018. These interactions marked a pivotal moment in the tense relationship between North Korea and South Korea, offering a rare opportunity for dialogue amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.