North Korea’s senior official Kim Yang-gon dies

Secretary of the Workers’ party central committee Kim Yang-gon reportedly died in a vehicle accident.

In 2013, he purged and executed his uncle Jang Song-Thaek, who was once considered the second most powerful man in the country for “anti-revolutionary crimes”.

Professor Kim Yong-Hyun of Dongguk University said Kim Yang-Gon had an image as a “moderate”.

A senior North Korean official died in a vehicle crash on Tuesday, according to state media, the latest death of a high-ranking figure in the hermit kingdom this year.

He was among officials who most frequently accompanied Kim Jong-un during his inspection visits to army units and factories, a strong indication that he was one of the leader’s trusted aides. It gave no additional details about his death.

Kim Yang Gon, 73, played a major role in negotiations with South Korea, including during August talks that eased inflamed tensions.

June 3, 2010: KCNA says Ri Je Gang, first vice department director of the Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, died in a traffic accident at age 80 the previous day.

HWACHEON, South Korea – A South Korean soldier was found dead on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone early Wednesday morning in a gun-related incident, the military said.

Kim Yang Gon’s death has prompted concern over future relations between the Koreas.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said another of Kim Jong Un’s former associates, Choe Ryong Hae, was banished to a rural collective farm for re-education last month. Analysts have said Kim Yang-gon’s death could lead to a deterioration of ties between the two countries.

“This raises worries that an extended suspension in inter- Korean dialogue may be inevitable due to his death”, Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea analyst at the Sejong Institute near Seoul, said by text message.

Kim had grown closer to Kim Jong-un recently and was an experienced adviser.

But following discussions have made little progress in resolving key problems, including reunions for families separated by war as well as the resumption of cross border tours.

Kim earned a reputation for brutality after unconfirmed reports emerged of a deadly clearing of the decks after he came to power in 2011, replacing his father Kim Jong-il.