North Korea is holding a state funeral for its former ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam, who died at age 97. Leader Kim Jong-un paid respects with deep condolences, joined by Chinese and Vietnamese ambassadors. South Korea's unification minister also expressed condolences, noting Kim's role in inter-Korean dialogue.
Kim Yong-nam, former chairman of the Standing Committee of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, died on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the age of 97 from multiple organ failure while battling colorectal cancer. He had been fighting the illness since June of the previous year. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described him as "an old-generation revolutionary who left extraordinary achievements in the development history of our party and country," noting that he wrapped up his noble life at 97.
The state funeral began on Tuesday, November 4, at a funeral facility in Pyongyang. Leader Kim Jong-un visited the bier at 1 a.m. to express "deep condolences," accompanied by a flower wreath. Officials from the ruling party, government, armed forces, and other state organizations paid their respects at the site. Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun and Vietnamese Ambassador Le Ba Vinh also visited to offer condolences.
Kim's coffin was scheduled to leave the funeral hall on Wednesday, November 5, for burial. The state funeral committee includes Kim Jong-un, Premier Pak Thae-song, current parliamentary standing committee chairman Choe Ryong-hae, and other officials.
Born into a family of anti-Japanese patriots, Kim attended Kim Il Sung University and studied in Moscow before starting his diplomatic career. He served as foreign minister under founder Kim Il-sung and, for 21 years under late leader Kim Jong-il, as chairman of the parliamentary standing committee—a titular head of state role. During Kim Jong-il's rule, he handled most summit diplomacy, representing North Korea internationally as the leader avoided external affairs. He held high-profile posts under Kim Jong-un as well and retired from six decades of public service at age 91 in 2019.
In 2018, he led a North Korean delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, including Kim Yo-jong, and met then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in, helping open inter-Korean dialogue. South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed condolences, stating, "I express my condolences over the death of Kim," and noting the visit's role in dialogue. Chung recalled meeting him twice in Pyongyang in 2005 and 2018 for "meaningful discussions" on peace and inter-Korean relations. The message was issued in the minister's name rather than directly to Pyongyang, as communication lines remain closed.
Ruling Democratic Party Rep. Park Jie-won also offered condolences on social media, requesting permission to visit as an envoy: "If conditions permit, I would like to visit Pyongyang... to pay my respects." He added, "I earnestly ask North Korea to accept an envoy and our government to send me as one." Park served as chief presidential secretary during the 1998-2003 Kim Dae-jung administration and acted as an envoy in 2014 for wreath exchanges on leaders' deaths.
