Analysts said the reversal of fortunes for Mr Choe is the latest in a series of reinstatements, and indicates the young leader may be taking a softer line after earning a reputation for ruthlessness with the elimination of high-ranking officials, including his uncle.
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North Korean leader says he’s open to unification talks
Choe has always been involved in North Korea’s relations with China, and Won in its relations with South Korea. The death earlier this week of Pyongyang’s point man on ties with Seoul had raised some speculation that Mr.
“He was North Korea’s point man on South Korea”, says Aidan Foster-Carter, honorary senior research fellow in sociology and modern Korea at Leeds University.
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There have been nearly daily Palestinian attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers over the past three and a half months. The funerals of the rest of the Palestinians handed over by Israel were to take place Saturday throughout the West Bank.
Analysts warn the death of a top North Korean negotiator could spark a possible deterioration in ties with its southern neighbour. A state funeral will be held today in Pyongyang.
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Before his death, Kim, 73, served as director of the United Front Department and secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
But Mr. Klingner also noted that the laudatory language for Kim Yang Gon suggests “an accidental rather than planned death”.
The reversals of fortune, along with two similar cases earlier this year, have prompted suggestions the leader may be rolling back a purge.
“Given that, one is bound to be sceptical about any such report coming from North Korea”.
North Korean news outlet KCNA described Kim as a “loyal warrior” and one of the “closest comrades and trustworthiest revolutionary comrades” of Kim Jong Un.
“He is the great son of the people and the party, which have fought hard to achieve the glory of the revolution”, it said.
South Korea’s unification minister Hong Yong-pyo sent condolences, according to Mr Hong’s ministry. North Korea has no independent press or religious freedom and its citizens face rape, torture, forced labor and imprisonment and execution. They then vowed to make efforts to promote inter-Korean civilian exchanges.
The talks produced an agreement that ended the standoff, and for the two sides to reopen dialogue to improve ties.
“With regard to South Korean policy, Kim Yang Gon had a very good social network and was a good interlocutor for the North with the South”, Madden said.
“Kim Yang-gon was not known for having a particular position on what he did”. Similar speculation arose in past years following reported traffic deaths of high-level North Korean officials.
Yonhap said the partying habits of North Korean elites were also to blame for their disproportionately high rate of fatal traffic accidents, often driving home drunk after exclusive parties.
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Choe Ryong Hae, North Korea’s Workers’ Party secretary, was included in a roster of top official names, made public during a North Korea announcement for the former Kim’s state funeral committee, Jiji Press reported.
