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KCNA Voice of Korea (EN)

Brief history of Kim Yong Nam

Date: 04/11/2025 | Source: Voice of Korea (EN) | Read original version at source

West Coast Exchange, North Korea Watcher Conference, Sept. 2026

Here is a brief history of Kim Yong Nam. 

Kim Yong Nam was born into a family of patriot who participated in the anti-Japanese independence movement from early days on February 4, 1928.

After liberation he grew to be competent diplomat and staunch state activist under the loving care of the Party and the leader and while working for a long time at the important posts of the Workers' Party of Korea and the state, he devoted all his wisdom and passion to the victorious advance of the revolution and the everlasting prosperity of the state.

After studying at the Pyongyang Worker-Peasant Political School and abroad, he worked as a teacher at the Central Party School from 1952.

In his 20s he worked at the Party Central Committee and from 1959 he successively worked as Deputy Director of the International Department of the Party Central Committee, Vice-Minster of Foreign Affairs, First Deputy Director and Director of the International Department and Secretary of the Party Central Committee.

He became Vice-Premier of the Administration Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1983 and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly in 1998.

He was active as a member of the Party Central Committee from November 1970, alternate member of the Political Commission of the Party Central Committee from February 1974, member of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee from August 1978, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee from 2010 and deputy to the SPA from its fifth to 14th term.

He was awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung and the Order of Kim Jong Il, the highest decorations of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the title of Labour Hero and other Party and station commendations of high level for the services he rendered to the Party and revolution and the country and people.

While receiving treatment in his sickbed because of the colon cancer from June last year, he died of multiple organ failure by cancerous poisoning at 12:00 on November 3, 2025.

Although he passed away, his noble revolutionary spirit and fighting exploits will shine forever encouraging the people in their advance for the overall development of socialism.

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