Kim Yang-gon
| Kim Yang-gon 김양건 | |
|---|---|
 Kim Yang-gon at Closing Ceremony of Incheon Asian Games 2014 | |
| Native name | 김양건 |
| Born |
24 April 1942 Anju-si, South Pyongan Province, Japanese Korea |
| Died |
29 December 2015 (aged 73) North Korea |
| Cause of death | Road accident |
Kim Yang-gon (24 April 1942 – 29 December 2015) was a North Korean politician and a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.
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 reapproachment 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]
- Kim Jong-un
- Kim Yong-nam
- Hwang Pyong-so
- Pak Pong-ju
- Kim Ki-nam
- Choe Ryong-hae
- Choe Tae-bok
- Pak Yong-sik
- Ri Yong-gil
- Yang Hyong-sop
- Kang Sok-ju
- Ri Yong-mu
- O Kuk-ryol
- Kim Won-hong
- Kwak Pom-gi
- O Su-yong
- Kim Pyong-hae
- Choe Pu-il
- Ro Tu-chol
- Jo Yon-jun
- Im Chol-ung
- Kim Tok-hun
- Kim Yong-jin
- Ri Mu-yong
- Ri Chol-man
- Kim Yong-dae
- Ryu Mi-yong
- Ri Il-hwan
- Ri Man-gon
- Kim Man-song
- Choe Sang-gon
- Ri Yong-rae
- Kim Jong-im
- Kim Jung-hyop
- Hong In-born
- Kim Kyong-ok
- Choe Hwi
- Ri Pyong-chol
- Kim Yong-su
- Jon M-chun
- Jong Myong-hak
- Kim Hi-taek
- Jon Kyong-nam
- So Hong-chan
- No Kwang-chol
- Rim Gwang-il
- Jo Nam-jin
- Ryom Chol-song
- Jo Kyong-chol
- Yun Tong-hyon
- Kim Hyong-ryong
- Kim Yong-chol
- O Kum-chol
- Tae Jong-su
- Kim Su-gil
- Pak Tae-song
- Kim Nung-o
- Jon Sung-hun
- Pak Yong-ho
- Pak Tae-dok
- Kim Jae-ryong
- Pak Jong-nam
- Ri Sang-won
- Kang Yang-mo
- Rim Kyong-man
- Kim Wan-su
- Won Tong-yon
- Ri Jong-hyok
- Kim Jin-guk
- Pak Jin-sik
References
- ↑ "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. 2015-12-30.
- ↑ Kim Yang Gon Dies Korean Central News Agency 2015-30-12
- ↑ What the new photos of North Korea's leaders say. BBC News, 13 May 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Kim Yang Gon Funeral Committee". North Korea Leadership Watch. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rim Tong-ok |
Director of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea 2007–2015 |
Succeeded by Kim Yong-chol |