Kim Yang’s top aide dies in car crash

The Korean Central News Agency described the deceased as the leader’s “most trustworthy aide” and said a state funeral would be held. Leader Kim has earned a reputation for ruthlessness after sacking previous high-ranking officials and having his uncle executed. 

In August Kim Yang-Gon took part in talks to ease tensions with South Korea over a border land mine blast blamed on the North which brought the two sides to the brink of war. Kim Jong-Un will preside over the state funeral on Thursday. 

A career diplomat, Kim Yang-Gon played a leading role in arranging the 2007 summit between then-leader Kim Jong-Il and South Korean president Roh Moo-Hyun. He was the only North Korean official present at their meeting in Pyongyang. 

After the death of Kim Jong-Il in 2011, Kim YangGon was a key confidante to his young son and successor Jong-Un, advising him on cross-border relations. At the talks in August the two sides vowed to try to promote civilian exchanges. 

But subsequent talks this month ended with little progress in resolving issues such as that of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, and the resumption of cross-border tours to the North’s scenic Mount Kumgang. Kim Yang-Gon’s death was seen as a blow to efforts at dialogue and reconciliation.