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

Kim Yong-nam (born 4 February 1928) is a top North Korean official. He has been de facto head of state since 1998, and he previously 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 5 September 1998.^[1] Kim represents the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on all state visits and summits and receives visiting heads of state; in theory 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. In practice, Kim Jong-il is the effective ruler of the country.

Kim embarked on a two-week tour of Mongolia, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Singapore on 20 July 2007. On 18 March 2008, he embarked on a goodwill tour of four African nations.^[2] Arriving in Namibia on 20 March he was present for the inauguration of a new presidential residence that was built by North Korea, describing it as a "symbol of friendship" between the two countries;^[3] he also held talks with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and signed an agreement on public health cooperation with Pohamba.^[2][3] He subsequently visited Angola, where he met with President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos on 24 March the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he met with President Joseph Kabila on 26 March and Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni on 29 March. He returned to North Korea on 1 April.^[2] Kim also attended the Beijing Olympics on 8 August 2008.

Kim Yong-nam met with Vietnamese president Nguyen Minh Triet on July 14, 2009, on the sidelines of the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Egypt. In his meeting with Kim, President Triet expressed hopes that the joint ventures established by Vietnamese businesses in North Korea would contribute to deepening bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation. He also proposed that the two countries coordinate to jointly organize celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2010. Kim stressed the fact that North Korea and Vietnam have a special time-honored relationship fostered by the close relationship between late presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il Sung, which have also served as a solid foundation for continued growth in bilateral ties.^[4]

[edit] See also

• Politics of North Korea
• Government of North Korea

[edit] References

v • d • e Heads of state of North Korea Chairmen of the Presidium of the Parliament: Kim Tu-bong (1948-1957) • Choi Yong-kun (1957-1972) • President (1972-94): Kim Il-sung • Chairman of the Presidium (since 1998): Kim Yong-nam 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 Chairmen of the North Korean Parliament Kim Tu-bong (1948-1957) • Choi Yong-kun (1957-1972) • Hwang Jang-yop (1972-1983) • Yang Hyong-sop (1983-1998) • Kim Yong-nam (Since 1998)

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