China Mourns Death of North Korean ‘Old Friend’ Kim Yong Nam

Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s veteran diplomat and former ceremonial head of state who was the public face of the isolated regime for decades, died on Nov. 3 in Pyongyang. He was 97.

He died of multi-organ failure caused by cancerous toxicity after being bedridden with colon cancer since June 2024, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

North Korea announced a state funeral, with a 100-member committee of senior officials led by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who paid his respects at a mourning hall on Nov. 4. Other committee members include Premier Pak Thae Song and Choe Ryong Hae, who succeeded Kim Yong Nam as the country’s titular head of state.