Kim Chang-son, who served as protocol chief to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has died, according to the North's state media on Friday. The leader expressed deep condolences over his death and sent a wreath to the bier the previous day. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Kim Chang-son, a longtime close aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has died, state media reported on December 26, 2025. He served in key positions within the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the state apparatus, earning the "special loving care and deep trust" of the regime's leaders, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim Jong-un expressed "deep" condolences and sent a wreath to the bier the previous day, KCNA said, without disclosing the cause of death. The agency praised Kim Chang-son for his "distinguished contribution to defending the prestige of our Party and enhancing the external prestige of the country with his steadfast honesty and sincerity."
Known as the de facto chief of staff to Kim Jong-un, Kim Chang-son frequently appeared at sites of the leader's summit diplomacy. During the peak of Kim's diplomatic engagements in 2018-2019, including summits with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore and Vietnam, he visited facilities in advance to check routes and schedules. In 2018, he accompanied a high-level North Korean delegation led by Kim Yo-jong, the leader's influential sister, to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea. That April, he headed the North's delegation for working-level talks on protocol, security, and media ahead of the summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un.
Under former leader Kim Jong-il, Kim Chang-son's father, he worked in the secretariat office supporting the ruler and his family. His death may draw attention to the stability of North Korea's leadership circle.
