North Korean Power Broker Kim Yong Nam Dies at 97
A stalwart loyalist to the country's ruling Kim family, Kim Yong Nam has passed away at the age of 97. As the former nominal head of state, he served as the head of North Korea's parliament for nearly two decades and was a key figure in senior diplomatic circles.
According to state media, Kim Yong Nam died on Monday due to multiple organ failure related to cancer. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described him as an "old-generation revolutionary" who left a lasting legacy in the development of the party and country.
As ceremonial head of state for two decades, Kim Yong Nam's loyalty to the ruling family allowed him to play a significant role in key state events. He was known for his powerful speeches and appeared frequently in state media visuals greeting foreign dignitaries on behalf of current leader Kim Jong Un and his late father, Kim Jong Il.
The former head of the Supreme People's Assembly served from 1998 until April 2019, when he was replaced by Choe Ryong Hae, a close confidant of Kim Jong Un. His influence in recent years is believed to have waned due to his age.
Kim Yong Nam's death marks the end of an era for North Korea's ruling elite. As grandson of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, current leader Kim Jong Un will likely be affected by the loss of this veteran power broker.
A stalwart loyalist to the country's ruling Kim family, Kim Yong Nam has passed away at the age of 97. As the former nominal head of state, he served as the head of North Korea's parliament for nearly two decades and was a key figure in senior diplomatic circles.
According to state media, Kim Yong Nam died on Monday due to multiple organ failure related to cancer. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described him as an "old-generation revolutionary" who left a lasting legacy in the development of the party and country.
As ceremonial head of state for two decades, Kim Yong Nam's loyalty to the ruling family allowed him to play a significant role in key state events. He was known for his powerful speeches and appeared frequently in state media visuals greeting foreign dignitaries on behalf of current leader Kim Jong Un and his late father, Kim Jong Il.
The former head of the Supreme People's Assembly served from 1998 until April 2019, when he was replaced by Choe Ryong Hae, a close confidant of Kim Jong Un. His influence in recent years is believed to have waned due to his age.
Kim Yong Nam's death marks the end of an era for North Korea's ruling elite. As grandson of the country's founder, Kim Il Sung, current leader Kim Jong Un will likely be affected by the loss of this veteran power broker.
just thinkin' about kim yong nam, it's crazy he lived to 97... that's like, almost as old as my grandma 
. anywayz, his legacy is def still felt in north korea, all these years of loyalty and stuff must've taken a toll tho 
. i feel bad for kim jong un now, losin' this older gen kinda mentor 
. but at the same time, gotta respect kim yong nam's dedication to the family 
. anyway, it's not like he was doin' anything shady or nothin 
. just thinkin', the old guard is passin' on...
i mean, respect or whatever, but his death kinda marks a shift in north korea's leadership circle 
and now it's all about kim jong un and whoever he chooses next 
i mean, the guy could work a crowd, ya feel? and as much as people might say kim jong un needs to modernize north korea, kim yong nam was part of that old guard who helped shape the country into what it is today 
so yeah, kim jong un's gotta navigate some big shoes to fill, but maybe this is his chance to show he can lead without his uncle 
, 97 and still holding it down as the head of parliament for almost two decades? that's dedication on a whole other level 
. but you know what's even crazier? how he got to be so loyal to the kim family, like what's his story? did he grow up with them or something? anyway, i feel bad for kim jong un, losing this guy is huge 
, gotta wonder what kind of advice he was gonna get from him on how to run the country... RIP kim yong nam, may your legacy live on 
.
. it's interesting how his influence has kinda waned over the years due to age 
. wonder if it means a shift in power dynamics? 
his legacy is still so influential in north korea today he was like the rock that held everything together for so long and now that's gone 
it's crazy to think about how much history he must've seen over the years from korang il sung all the way to kim jong un he played such a key role in all the big state events and his speeches were always so powerful 
but i guess you can't live forever and now kim yong nam is finally at peace 
rest in peace
guess his time in power didn't agree with him. he was a big deal in north korea politics but his influence seems to have faded away in recent years. hope kim jong un isn't too shook up by this 
i'm guessing his influence has kinda waned with age, but still his death marks a big change for north korea's ruling elite. it's crazy to think about kim jong un now being in charge without any major rivals from the older generation 
I'm so saddened to hear about Kim Yong Nam's passing at 97 
. The end of this era is a bit bittersweet - we'll miss his presence at state events and ceremonies 
. But it's also an opportunity for the younger generation to step up and lead the country forward 
.