Kim Yong Nam: North Korea's ceremonial head of state dies aged 97
North Korea says its longtime ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong Nam, has died.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim Yong Nam, former president of the Presidium of North Korea’s rubber-stamp Supreme People’s Assembly, had died on Monday at the age of 97.
KCNA says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the bier of Kim Yong Nam on Tuesday to express deep condolences over his death.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Kim Yong Nam served as head of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to April 2019. That post is North Korea’s nominal head of state, though the true power was held by the Kim family that has ruled the North since its formal foundation in 1948.
Kim Yong Nam greeted visiting foreign dignitaries and made propaganda-filled speeches with a deep, booming voice at key state events.
He also was part of North Korea’s delegation that attended the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018 during a period of diplomatic openness before his influence waned with age.
