Kim_Yang-gon

Kim Yang-gon

Kim Yang-gon

North Korean politician


Kim Yang-gon (김양건, 24 April 1942 – 29 December 2015) was a North Korean politician and a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Early career

Kim Yang-gon started his political career as a vice-director of the party's International Liaison Department in 1986, and during this time he also oversaw relations with Japan as head of the DPRK-Japan Friendship Association. He was a recipient of the top Order of Kim Il-sung in 1995. He was promoted to director in 1997 and visited China multiple times during his tenure. In 2005 he also received a position as "councilor" to the National Defence Commission.

Promotion

Several months after the death of Rim Tong-ok, Kim Yang-gon, considered a confidant to Kim Jong-il, was appointed to replace him as director of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party in March 2007. His first assignment as head of relations with South Korea was a visit to Seoul in November to discuss rapprochement measures with Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong. At the Party Conference held in September 2010, Kim was also appointed secretary for united front and South Korea policies of the Secretariat and alternate member of the Politburo.

Kim Yang-gon kept his position under Kim Jong-un, and he was awarded the newly created Order of Kim Jong-il in July 2012. He visited South Korea again in October 2014 to attend the closing ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games with Hwang Pyong-so and Choe Ryong-hae, and in late August 2015 to negotiate a deal to halt military provocations around the Demilitarized Zone.

Death

In December 2015, North Korea's news agency reported that Kim Yang-gon died in a car accident.[1][2] He was lying in state in Sojang Club in Pyongyang and honored in a state funeral.

He was replaced in January 2016 by Kim Yong-chol.[3]

Kim Yang-gon's funeral committee was composed of:[4]


References

  1. "N Korean official in charge of ties with South dies: Pyongyang – Top aide to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un dies in car crash: KCNA". TODAYonline. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  2. "Kim Yang Gon Funeral Committee". North Korea Leadership Watch. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
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