Kim Yang-gon

Kim Yang-gon 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 rapprochement 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. 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.
Kim Yang-gon's funeral committee was composed of: