Kim Yong-nam

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President of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea
Kim Yong-nam
Incumbent
Assumed office 05 September 1998
Prime Minister	Kim Yong-il
Leader	Kim Jong-il
Preceded by	Kim Il-sung As President

Born	4 February 1928 (1928-02-04) (age 81)
Political party	WPK

Not to be confused with Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of Kim Jong-il.

This is a Korean name; the family name is Kim.

Kim Yong-nam

Chosŏn'gŭl	김영남
Hancha	金永南
McCune-Reischauer	Kim Yŏng-nam
Revised Romanization	Gim Yeong-nam

Kim Yong-nam (born February 4, 1928) is a top North Korean official. He served as foreign minister from 1983 to 1998.

Although he is not de jure head of state of North Korea (as no such office exists), in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, he has the role of accepting the credentials of ambassadors, conducting foreign relations and signing treaties, making him the de facto head of state. He has held this office since September 5, 1998.^[1] Kim represents the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on all state visits and summits and receives visiting heads of state; he, Premier Kim Yong-il, and Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il form a tripartite executive, each having powers equal to a third of a president's, controlling foreign relations, government, and defense, respectively.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Dae-woong, Jin. "Who's who in North Korea's power elite", The Korea Herald, 2007-10-04. Retrieved on 2007-10-05.

v • d • e Heads of state of North Korea
Chairmen of the Presidium (1948-72): Kim Tu-bong • Choi Yong-kun • President (1972-94): Kim Il-sung • Chairman of the Presidium (since 1998): Kim Yong-nam	Image:Flag of North Korea.svg
Kim Il-sung has been Eternal President since his death. The post of President was vacant from his death until the 1998 Constitution entered into force, after which the Chairman of the Presidium became de facto ceremonial head of state, as in 1948-72.

v • d • e Foreign Ministers of North Korea
Pak Hon-yong • Nam Il • Park Sung-chul • Ho Dam • Kim Yong-nam • Paek Nam-sun • Kang Sok-ju (interim) • Pak Ui-chun	Image:Flag of North Korea.svg