Kim Yang Gon, top aide to North Korean leader dies in car crash, state media say

Kim Yang Gon, a known North Korean official tasked with maintaining the difficult relationship with South Korea, has died in an automobile accident, as per the state media.

He’s the recent in a series of top aides to Kim Jong Un, the President of North Korea, who are noted to have died in present times.

Reports comes from the state- run agency, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and has provided no more details Wednesday on the death of Kim Yang Gon, aged 73, and was a veteran of negotiations with South Korea since the times of former leader Kim Jong Il.

Kim Yang Gon played a significant role in talks to remove tensions between the two nations after an exchange of artillery fire back in August. He was the head of the United Front Department, the main agency known for dealings with South Korea.

“He was surely trusted by the Kim family regime,” stated Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Scarlatoiu continued, “The one who appointed him head of the United Front Department was Kim Jong Il, the father of the present leader. And what we knew was that he was really close to young Kim Jong Un.”