Kim Yong Nam, Longtime Loyalist to the Kim Family and Former Head of North Korea’s Parliament, Passes Away at 97

Kim Yong Nam, Longtime North Korean Official and Loyalist, Passes Away at 97

Published On 4 Nov 2025

Kim Yong Nam, a prominent figure in North Korean politics and a steadfast loyalist to the ruling Kim family, has died at the age of 97, according to state media reports. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that he passed away on Monday due to multiple organ failure related to cancer.

“Comrade Kim Yong Nam, an old-generation revolutionary who left extraordinary achievements in the development history of our party and country, wrapped up his noble life at the age of 97,” KCNA stated, reflecting on his decades of service.

Kim Yong Nam served as the head of the Supreme People’s Assembly from 1998 until April 2019, a role that positioned him as North Korea’s nominal head of state. His tenure was marked by a series of ceremonial duties, including delivering poignant speeches and greeting foreign dignitaries on behalf of the Kim family. His deep, resonant voice became a familiar presence at key state events, reinforcing his image as a loyal servant of the regime.

In a show of respect, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Kim Yong Nam’s bier early Tuesday to express his condolences. A funeral has been scheduled for Thursday, marking the end of an era for a man who was a fixture in North Korean politics for over two decades.

Though not related to Kim Jong Un, Kim Yong Nam’s unwavering loyalty to the Kim dynasty allowed him to navigate the complex political landscape of North Korea. He played a significant role during pivotal moments in the country’s history, including reading an elegy for Kim Il Sung upon his death in 1994 and formally nominating Kim Jong Il as chairman of the National Defence Commission.

His diplomatic engagements included a notable trip to South Korea in February 2018, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympic Games alongside Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s influential sister. This visit marked a significant thaw in relations between North and South Korea, making Kim Yong Nam the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit the South in years.

Despite his historical significance, Kim Yong Nam’s influence waned in recent years, particularly after he was replaced as head of the parliament by Choe Ryong Hae, a close confidant of Kim Jong Un, in April 2019. His later years were characterized by a gradual retreat from the public eye, coinciding with the rise of a new generation of leaders within the regime.

Born in Pyongyang, Kim Yong Nam was educated at Kim Il Sung University and Moscow State University, where he honed the skills that would define his lengthy career in public service. His death marks the loss of a key figure in North Korea’s political landscape, one whose life was intertwined with the legacy of the Kim family and the nation’s tumultuous history.