Overview
- Kim Jong-un conveyed “deep” condolences and sent a wreath to Kim Chang-son’s bier, according to state media.
- KCNA did not specify the time or cause of death in its brief announcement.
- Kim Chang-son was widely known as the regime’s chief protocol officer and was often described as Kim Jong-un’s de facto chief of staff.
- He handled logistics for high-profile diplomacy in 2018–2019, inspecting venues in Singapore, Vietnam and Panmunjom and supporting the 2018 PyeongChang delegation.
- A decades-long insider, he served in the leader’s secretariat under Kim Jong-il and later became the first chief of the newly established secretariat under Kim Jong-un.