Korea states top official died in automotive accident

Kim Yang- a top aide to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, perished on Tuesday in an automobile crash, the state news agency reported on Wednesday, in the most recent episode involving the leader’s deputies.

KCNA hailed him as “the dearest and the most trustworthy comrade-in-arms” of current leader Kim Jong-Un, who will head a state funeral for the official on Thursday.

But an official at the South Korean government said that it sees the chance of Kim Yang-gon having been assassinated to be slim.

Kim Yang-Gon was a secretary of the Workers’ Party and head of its United Front Department, the unit that handles the North’s sensitive ties with South Korea.

Kim Yang Gon also appears to have advised Kim Jong Un closely on other global relations.

“He was surely trusted by the Kim family regime”, said Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

A leader… Kim Yang Gon, centre, a secretary of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party. South Korea has previously offered similar condolences when senior North Korean officials died.

North Korea and the party will “always remember” the life of Kim who remained “boundlessly loyal to the party and the revolution with steadfast faith in the justice of his cause”, it added.

Along with Chang Song-thaek, the executed uncle of the North Korean leader, Kim had led affairs regarding China as well.

North Korea’s road network is badly maintained and few people in the country own cars.

Mr Choe’s reinstatement was revealed when North Korea announced a state funeral committee for Mr Kim Yang Gon. Country officials also “tend to flaunt traffic regulations”, Bloomberg reported. Kim Yong Sun was a close aide to then-leader Kim Jong Il, the late father of Kim Jong Un.

For years Mr Gon had long made dedicated efforts to push for unification between North and South Korea, however, analysts say strained ties will continue between the two rival nations following Mr Gon’s unexpected death.

According to the Swiss non-profit International Campaign To Abolish Nuclear Weapons, North Korea is one of only eight countries in the world with nuclear weapons.

Kim Yang Gon had spoken in favor of increased dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang and played a key role in brokering an agreement in August that defused tensions at the border.