Unification minister expresses condolences over death of N. Korea's ex-ceremonial leader
Kim Yong-nam, former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea / Yonhap
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young extended his condolences Tuesday over the death of Kim Yong-nam, former titular head of North Korea, saying in a message that he had contributed to the development of inter-Korean ties.
North Korea's state media said earlier in the day that Kim, former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, died the previous day from multiple organ failure related to cancer. He had been battling colorectal cancer since June last year.
"I express my condolences over the death of Kim," Chung said in a message released to the press on behalf of the government, also extending solace to his bereaved family and North Korean officials.
The minister recalled Kim's visit to South Korea as head of North Korea's delegation to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, noting that it helped open inter-Korean dialogue at that time.
Chung said he also met him twice in Pyongyang, in 2005 and 2018, where they had "meaningful discussions" on peace and the development of inter-Korean relations.
A ministry official said the government issued the condolences in the minister's name, instead of sending them directly to North Korea, as communication lines with Pyongyang remain shuttered.
Kim had led North Korea's diplomacy for decades, spanning the regimes of national founder Kim Il-sung, late leader Kim Jong-il and current leader Kim Jong-un.
For 21 years since the start of Kim Jong-il's rule, he served as chairman of the parliamentary standing committee, a position that at that time represented the head of state, albeit in a titular capacity.
Under Kim Jong-il, the former parliamentary standing committee chairman handled most summit diplomacy on behalf of the leader, who tended to stay away from external affairs, effectively emerging as North Korea's representative on the international stage.
North Korea said it will hold a state funeral for Kim Yong-nam on Tuesday and his coffin will leave a funeral facility Wednesday to be laid to rest. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited his bier early Tuesday to express "deep condolences," according to state media.