Overview
- State media KCNA reported he died on Nov. 3 of multiple organ failure at the age of 97.
- The Workers’ Party and the Cabinet decided to hold a state funeral, according to official announcements.
- Kim Jong Un visited the bier with senior party and government officials to offer condolences.
- Kim served as chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly Standing Committee until 2019 and was widely seen as the regime’s diplomatic face across three leaders.
- He led rare outreach during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, meeting then–South Korean President Moon Jae-in.