North Korea’s Longtime Ceremonial Leader Kim Yong Nam Dies at 97

Kim Yong Nam, who served as North Korea’s ceremonial head of state for over 20 years, has passed away. State media announced his death on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. He died on Monday from multiple organ failure at age 97. Kim Yong Nam was not related to the ruling Kim family, but his loyalty to them defined his career.

North Korea’s President of the Supreme People’s Assembly Kim Yong Nam (L) arrives at Miraflores Palace to have a meeting with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela November 27, 2018 | Photo Credit: Reuters

He held the post of president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to April 2019. This role made him North Korea’s nominal head of state. Real power, however, stayed with the Kim dynasty since the country was founded in 1948. Leader Kim Jong Un visited his bier to pay respects. The funeral is set for Thursday.

Kim Yong Nam was known for his deep voice in propaganda speeches at big events. He often greeted foreign visitors for Kim Jong Un and his father, Kim Jong Il. In 2018, he went to South Korea for the Pyeongchang Olympics opening with Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister. This was part of North Korea’s push for better ties with Seoul and Washington after tense years.

At the Olympics, he sat near U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, but no contact happened. His trip was the highest-level North Korean visit to the South since 2014. North Korea’s diplomacy peaked with Kim Jong Un’s summits with President Donald Trump in 2018 and 2019, but Kim Yong Nam did not join them. His role faded due to age.

In 2019, Choe Ryong Hae replaced him. Choe is a close aide to Kim Jong Un and was a top military officer. Kim Yong Nam’s life showed a typical successful North Korean official. He joined the Workers’ Party after the 1950-53 Korean War. He survived purges in the 1970s and entered the Politburo in 1978

He served as foreign minister for 15 years starting in 1983. During that time, the Berlin Wall fell and the Soviet Union collapsed, leaving North Korea alone. Experts say he was good at diplomacy with third-world countries. He often attended meetings of the Non-Aligned Movement, like the 2012 summit in Iran.

People who met him called him mild but firm. Former reporter Don Oberdorfer wrote in his book “The Two Koreas” that Kim was friendly at first but stuck to his script like Soviet minister Andrei Gromyko. Kim showed loyalty by reading a poem at Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994. He also nominated Kim Jong Il for a top post after mourning.

Kim Yong Nam was born in Pyongyang. He studied at Kim Il Sung University and Moscow State University. His death marks the end of an era for old-guard officials in North Korea.

North Korea watchers see this as part of changes under Kim Jong Un. Many veterans from earlier times have retired or passed away. Kim Yong Nam’s role helped show North Korea to the world, even as a closed country.

The news came from the Korean Central News Agency. It highlights how the regime honors loyal figures. Kim Jong Un’s visit to the bier shows respect for his service.

For the world, Kim Yong Nam represented North Korea’s face in diplomacy. He met leaders from Venezuela to Iran. His 2018 South Korea trip was a rare moment of openness.

Now, younger officials like Choe Ryong Hae take center stage. North Korea faces ongoing issues with sanctions and isolation. Kim Yong Nam’s passing reminds us of the country’s rigid system built on loyalty to the Kim family.

By ANW Staff
Published: November 4, 2025
Source: AP and KCNA