Kim Yong-nam, North Korea’s longtime diplomat and former ceremonial head of state, died on November 3, 2025, at the age of 97, marking the end of an era for the reclusive nation’s political elite. His passing, reported by Korean Central Television on November 4 and confirmed by multiple international outlets including the Associated Press and Caixin, set off an elaborate state funeral in Pyongyang that drew the country’s top leadership and hundreds of mourners.
Kim Yong-nam’s death was attributed to multi-organ failure caused by cancerous toxicity, following a long battle with colon cancer that had left him bedridden since June 2024, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). His funeral, held at the Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery, was a meticulously choreographed affair that reflected both his stature in North Korean society and the regime’s penchant for symbolism and ritual.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally led the 100-member funeral committee, a signal of the deep respect the regime accorded to Kim Yong-nam. State media images showed citizens lining the streets, bowing as a car carrying Kim’s flag-draped coffin and a large portrait made its solemn journey to the cemetery. At the entrance, Kim Jong-un and senior officials—including Premier Pak Thae Song and Choe Ryong Hae, Kim Yong-nam’s successor as the country’s titular head of state—waited to pay their final respects. Premier Pak Thae Song delivered a eulogy, and mourners in black suits and military uniforms bowed in silent tribute before the burial.
"All the participants prayed for the immortality of the pure soul and revolutionary spirit of Kim Yong Nam, who made a distinguished contribution to the party and state," KCNA reported, capturing the official tone of reverence that permeated the day’s events.
Kim Yong-nam’s career spanned six decades and three generations of North Korean leadership, from Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong-un. As chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 to April 2019, he served as the country’s nominal head of state, even as real power remained firmly with the ruling Kim family. His role was often described as ceremonial, but his influence in shaping North Korea’s diplomatic posture was undeniable.
His longevity and adaptability in the notoriously treacherous waters of Pyongyang’s political hierarchy have become something of a legend. Former North Korean diplomat and ex-lawmaker Tae Yong-ho, who knew Kim Yong-nam personally, described him as “a perfect model of regime survival” with “unwavering loyalty to the Kim family, sharp political instincts, and an ability to read power shifts at least ten years ahead.” Tae, recalling their connection from childhood—he was classmates with Kim’s youngest son—shared insights into how Kim navigated the regime’s shifting tides.
One telling anecdote, according to Tae, occurred in the early 1970s. Kim Yong-nam, sensing the winds of change, ordered the removal of photos of Kim Il Sung’s second wife, Kim Song-ae, from official settings and replaced them with portraits of Kim Jong-il’s mother, Kim Jong-suk. This move, made even before Kim Jong-il was officially named successor, was said to have deeply moved Kim Jong-il. “Even before Kim Jong-il was officially named successor, Kim Yong-nam had already sensed where power was heading,” Tae recounted, emphasizing Kim’s uncanny foresight.
Kim’s political tact was equally evident under Kim Jong-un. Tae recalled a moment when Kim Jong-un lashed out at senior officials during an event—Kim Yong-nam, ever the diplomat, defused the tension with humor. And when Kim Jong-un made his first public appearance, Kim Yong-nam was the first among the hesitant elders to bow a full 90 degrees, prompting others to follow suit. “Kim Yong-nam survived six decades at the center of power without ever abusing it,” Tae noted. “In North Korea, his way of survival remains a manual for how to endure [within the regime].”
Integrity was another hallmark of Kim Yong-nam’s career. According to Tae, he never accepted bribes or gifts, nor did he bring back presents or clothes from his frequent foreign trips. If offered money, he would hand it directly to the party committee. He also abstained from alcohol, further setting himself apart in a culture where such gestures often carry political significance.
Kim Yong-nam’s public persona extended beyond the borders of North Korea, particularly during key moments of diplomacy. In February 2018, he traveled to South Korea with Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un’s sister, to attend the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The image of him appearing tearful alongside Kim Yo-jong as the joint inter-Korean delegation entered the stadium was, according to Tae, “a carefully crafted image” designed to suggest openness to dialogue. “That single photograph made the international community believe Kim Jong-un was open to dialogue,” Tae said, highlighting Kim’s instinct for political theater.
Kim Yong-nam’s tenure as head of the Supreme People’s Assembly ended in April 2019, when he was replaced by Choe Ryong Hae. Yet his influence lingered, a testament to his ability to survive—and thrive—across the volatile landscape of North Korean politics. State media reported that he had been treated for colon cancer since June 2024 and ultimately succumbed to multiple organ failures, a detail confirmed by Caixin and other international outlets.
China, North Korea’s closest ally, also mourned his passing, referring to him as an “old friend” and noting his decades of service as the public face of the regime. The outpouring of official grief and the carefully orchestrated funeral underscored not only Kim Yong-nam’s personal legacy but also the regime’s desire to project continuity and stability amid ongoing international tensions.
Kim Yong-nam’s life story, as pieced together from official accounts and personal recollections, offers a rare window into the workings of North Korea’s secretive leadership. His survival strategy—rooted in loyalty, discretion, and a finely tuned sense of political timing—allowed him to remain at the heart of power for more than half a century, without ever overstepping his bounds or falling out of favor.
As North Korea faces an uncertain future, the passing of Kim Yong-nam serves as both a moment of reflection and a reminder of the enduring complexities of its political system. His example, for better or worse, will likely serve as a touchstone for those who navigate the corridors of power in Pyongyang for years to come.
