Kim Ki Nam, North Korea's Propaganda Veteran, Dies at 89
Kim Ki Nam, a prominent figure in North Korea's propaganda apparatus for over six decades, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's messaging and ensuring smooth leadership transitions from Kim Il Sung to Kim Jong Il and eventually to Kim Jong Un.
Kim Ki Nam's career began in 1956 when he joined the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea. He rose through the ranks, earning the trust of Kim Il Sung, and spent years solidifying the party's ideological foundation. He was instrumental in promoting the principles of self-reliance (juche) and military-first (songun) under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, respectively.
His leadership in the propaganda apparatus granted him immense power to direct the state's daily messaging. He also made his mark on the international stage, leading a delegation to South Korea in 2009 following the death of former President Kim Dae-jung.
Kim Ki Nam's influence is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that North Korea remains the only major family dynasty established during the Cold War to have maintained continuous power since the 1940s. His reappointment as director of the propaganda department in 2010, just months before Kim Jong Un's official debut, was likely aimed at ensuring a smooth transition of power.
Kim Ki Nam's death comes at a time when North Korea is facing increasing international pressure over its nuclear weapons program. Current leader Kim Jong Un has removed the idea of peaceful reunification from the country's constitution and dismantled monuments dedicated to the concept of a unified peninsula, raising concerns that he may be preparing for war.
Kim Jong Un paid his respects to Kim Ki Nam by visiting the funeral bier and expressing "bitter grief over the loss of a veteran revolutionary who had remained boundlessly loyal to the cause of the WPK," according to KCNA.
"Kim Ki Nam is considered one of the most important figures in North Korea propaganda," said Cheong Seong-chang, a researcher at the Sejong Institute.