North Korea has held a state funeral for former ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam, attended by the North’s chief Kim Jong-un, state media reported Thursday.
The ceremony for Kim Yong-nam, former president of the Standing Committee of the Supreme Folks’s Meeting, befell on the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery in Pyongyang’s Sinmi-ri the day past, in accordance with the Korean Central Information Company (KCNA).
Kim Yong-nam died Monday on the age of 97 from a number of organ failure whereas battling colorectal most cancers. He served in key diplomatic posts spanning the regimes of state founder Kim Il-sung, former chief Kim Jong-il and the present chief Kim.
The North’s chief Kim Jong-un was standing on the entrance to the cemetery along with key officers when the coffin arrived and paid silent tribute, in accordance with the KCNA. In a eulogy, Premier Pak Thae-song lauded the late Kim for his patriotism for the nation.
“All of the members prayed for the immortality of the pure soul and revolutionary spirit of Kim Yong Nam, who made a distinguished contribution to laying eternal foundations for the everlasting victory of socialism of our model,” the KCNA stated.
In 2018, Kim Yong-nam visited South Korea as head of a North Korean delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which included Kim Yo-jong — the highly effective sister of the chief — and held a gathering with then President Moon Jae-in.
For 21 years because the begin of Kim Jong-il’s rule, he served as chairman of the parliamentary standing committee, a place that at the moment represented the top of state, albeit in a titular capability. He retired from six a long time of public service on the age of 91 in 2019.
South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young prolonged his condolences Tuesday over Kim’s dying. Rep. Park Jie-won of the ruling social gathering additionally expressed his intent to go to North Korea to pay tribute in particular person if the federal government permits. However the North has not proven any response.
