Kim Yong Nam, former Chairman of the Standing Committee of the North Korean Supreme People's Assembly and a veteran diplomat who served under all three North Korean leaders, passed away on November 3 at the age of 97, North Korean state media KCNA reported on November 4.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited his close friend Kim Yong Nam on the morning of November 4 to express his condolences.
Mr. Kim Yong Nam held the position of Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK from 1998 to 2019. In this position, he became the representative face at many important diplomatic events of Pyongyang.
Born in 1928, Kim Yong Nam held many key positions in the North Korean Foreign Ministry and contributed to shaping North Korea's diplomatic route under President Kim Nhat Thanh, before taking on the role of senior foreign representative under President Kim Jong Il.
Under leader Kim Jong Un, Kim Yong Nam continues to be a top diplomatic face, having welcomed high-ranking delegations in Pyongyang and led the North Korean delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea and met with then-Korean President Moon Jae-in.
North Korea will hold a national mourning event for Kim Yong Nam, the KCNA said.
