Kim Yang-gon

Kim Yang-gon (김양건, 24 April 1942 – 29 December 2015) 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:


 * 1) Kim Jong-un
 * 2) Kim Yong-nam
 * 3) Hwang Pyong-so
 * 4) Pak Pong-ju
 * 5) Kim Ki-nam
 * 6) Choe Ryong-hae
 * 7) Choe Tae-bok
 * 8) Pak Yong-sik
 * 9) Ri Yong-gil
 * 10) Yang Hyong-sop
 * 11) Kang Sok-ju
 * 12) Ri Yong-mu
 * 13) O Kuk-ryol
 * 14) Kim Won-hong
 * 15) Kwak Pom-gi
 * 16) O Su-yong
 * 17) Kim Pyong-hae
 * 18) Choe Pu-il
 * 19) Ro Tu-chol
 * 20) Jo Yon-jun
 * 21) Im Chol-ung
 * 22) Kim Tok-hun
 * 23) Kim Yong-jin
 * 24) Ri Mu-yong
 * 25) Ri Chol-man
 * 26) Kim Yong-dae
 * 27) Ryu Mi-yong
 * 28) Ri Il-hwan
 * 29) Ri Man-gon
 * 30) Kim Man-song
 * 31) Choe Sang-gon
 * 32) Ri Yong-rae
 * 33) Kim Jong-im
 * 34) Kim Jung-hyop
 * 35) Hong In-bom
 * 36) Kim Kyong-ok
 * 37) Choe Hwi
 * 38) Ri Pyong-chol
 * 39) Kim Yong-su
 * 40) Jon Il-chun
 * 41) Jong Myong-hak
 * 42) Kim Hi-taek
 * 43) Jon Kyong-nam
 * 44) So Hong-chan
 * 45) No Kwang-chol
 * 46) Rim Gwang-il
 * 47) Jo Nam-jin
 * 48) Ryom Chol-song
 * 49) Jo Kyong-chol
 * 50) Yun Tong-hyon
 * 51) Kim Hyong-ryong
 * 52) Kim Yong-chol
 * 53) O Kum-chol
 * 54) Tae Jong-su
 * 55) Kim Su-gil
 * 56) Pak Tae-song
 * 57) Kim Nung-o
 * 58) Jon Sung-hun
 * 59) Pak Yong-ho
 * 60) Pak Tae-dok
 * 61) Kim Jae-ryong
 * 62) Pak Jong-nam
 * 63) Ri Sang-won
 * 64) Kang Yang-mo
 * 65) Rim Kyong-man
 * 66) Kim Wan-su
 * 67) Won Tong-yon
 * 68) Ri Jong-hyok
 * 69) Kim Jin-guk
 * 70) Pak Jin-sik