Seoul, South Korea – November 4, 2025
Kim Yong Nam, a central figure in North Korea’s political history and the country’s ceremonial head of state for over 20 years, has passed away at the age of 97. State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed his death on Tuesday, stating Kim succumbed to multiple organ failure related to cancer.

Kim Yong Nam was recognized as one of the most high-profile political figures in North Korea’s elite circles. Known for his unwavering loyalty to the ruling Kim dynasty, he held the position of President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly – a title that made him the country’s nominal head of state – from 1998 until 2019.

A Lifelong Loyalist of the Kim Family

Kim Yong Nam’s death marks the end of a prominent era for a man who devoted his life to the North Korean state and the ruling Kim family. He was not a member of the Kim lineage himself but acted faithfully on behalf of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un – the three generations who have ruled North Korea since its establishment in 1948.

KCNA praised Kim Yong Nam as “an old-generation revolutionary” who made “extraordinary achievements in the development history of our party and country.” The report added that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the funeral bier early on Tuesday to express condolences. The state funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

Role as Diplomat and Ceremonial Leader

Throughout his career, Kim Yong Nam became known for his polished demeanor and deep, commanding voice at state events. He frequently appeared in North Korean media giving speeches or hosting international delegations on behalf of Kim Jong Un and his late father, Kim Jong Il. His prominence in North Korea’s foreign policy helped shape the country’s international image.

In February 2018, he was part of a landmark delegation to South Korea for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, alongside Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un. That visit symbolized one of the rare moments of diplomatic outreach between the two Koreas and the United States. Kim Yong Nam sat just meters away from then-US Vice President Mike Pence at the opening ceremony, though no interaction was reported.

A Career at the Heart of North Korean Politics

Born in Pyongyang, Kim Yong Nam studied at Kim Il Sung University and later at Moscow State University during North Korea’s early decades. His rise to power tracked closely with the fortunes of the Kim family.

When North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il Sung died in 1994, Kim Yong Nam delivered one of the most solemn elegies. He later proposed Kim Jong Il for the position of Chairman of the National Defence Commission, solidifying the successor’s control after the formal mourning period.

Despite his positions of prestige, Kim Yong Nam was not considered a core decision-maker in the regime’s military or nuclear policies. He was mostly visible during ceremonial events or high-level diplomatic functions. His influence waned with age, and in April 2019, he was succeeded by Choe Ryong Hae, another senior official trusted by Kim Jong Un.

A Legacy Interwoven With North Korea’s Identity

Kim Yong Nam’s death comes at a time of uncertainty for North Korea, as the country navigates international pressure over its nuclear program and tries to balance diplomatic isolation with occasional outreach.

Though he did not hold real executive power, Kim Yong Nam’s stature as a diplomatic figurehead was a vital part of the image North Korea projected abroad. His passing draws a close to one of the longest-serving faces of the North Korean regime since its inception.