North Korea’s former ceremonial leader Kim Yong Nam died at 97; a state funeral was held with Kim Jong Un in attendance.

Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s former ceremonial head of state and longtime president of the Supreme People’s Assembly, died at age 97 from multiple organ failure on November 3, 2025, according to North Korean state media. He served as the country’s nominal head of state from 1998 to 2019 and was known for his role in diplomatic engagements, including a high-profile 2018 visit to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Though real power rested with the Kim family, Kim Yong Nam was a loyal figure who survived decades of political purges. China expressed condolences, calling him an “old friend of the Chinese people.” A state funeral was held, with Kim Jong Un leading a 100-member committee.