POLITICIAN

Kim Yong-nam

1928 - 2025

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Kim Yong-nam (Korean: 김영남; February 4, 1928 – November 3, 2025) was a North Korean politician who served as the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, from 1998 until 2019. Due to holding the office, he was considered the head of state of North Korea; the country's constitution was amended once he left office in 2019 to transfer this position to the President of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong Un. Previously, he had served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1983 to 1998. He was elected a member of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in 2010. Read more on Wikipedia

His biography is available in 41 different languages on Wikipedia (up from 40 in 2024). Kim Yong-nam is the 2,352nd most popular politician (down from 1,666th in 2024), the 13th most popular biography from North Korea (down from 8th in 2019) and the 10th most popular North Korean Politician.

Kim Yong-nam is the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea. He is also the head of state and the head of government in North Korea.

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Among POLITICIANS

Among politicians, Kim Yong-nam ranks 2,352 out of 19,576. Before him are Uesugi Kenshin, Alaric II, Juraj Jánošík, Claudia Octavia, Emperor Guangwu of Han, and Athalaric. After him are Serzh Sargsyan, Rifaat al-Assad, Frederick III of Sicily, Émile Loubet, John Turner, and Emperor Ruizong of Tang.

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Contemporaries

Among people born in 1928, Kim Yong-nam ranks 44. Before him are Alexei Alexeyevich Abrikosov, Martin Cooper, James Ivory, Hans Küng, Jean Kennedy Smith, and George Peppard. After him are Alberto Korda, Alvin Toffler, Carlos Fuentes, Vera Rubin, Manfred Gerlach, and Li Ka-shing. Among people deceased in 2025, Kim Yong-nam ranks 35. Before him are George Foreman, Sofia Gubaidulina, Sirikit, Fouad Mebazaa, George Smoot, and Frederick Forsyth. After him are Richard Williamson, Dražen Dalipagić, Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Hulk Hogan, Ivar Giaever, and John Searle.

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In North Korea

Among people born in North Korea, Kim Yong-nam ranks 16 out of 162. Before him are Ri Kwang-hyok (1987), Pak Sung-hyok (1990), Kim Myong-gil (1984), Pak Chol-jin (1985), Injo of Joseon (1595), and Jang Song-thaek (1946). After him are Sun Myung Moon (1920), Choe Yong-gon (1900), Jeongjong, 3rd monarch of Goryeo (923), An Jung-geun (1879), Kim Yong-sik (1910), and Lee Yoo-hyung (1911).

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Among POLITICIANS In North Korea

Among politicians born in North Korea, Kim Yong-nam ranks 10. Before him are Taejo of Goryeo (877), Kim Jong-suk (1919), Gwangjong of Goryeo (925), Jeongjong of Joseon (1357), Injo of Joseon (1595), and Jang Song-thaek (1946). After him are Choe Yong-gon (1900), Jeongjong, 3rd monarch of Goryeo (923), Choe Ryong-hae (1950), Gongyang of Goryeo (1345), Gongmin of Goryeo (1330), and Kim Koo (1876).

North Korean born Politicians

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