North Korean veteran statesman Ri Yong Mu dies aged 97

January 29, 2022

North Korean state-run newspaper  reported yesterday that high-ranking political and military official died of  on Thursday morning at age 97.

Ri held positions in the State Inspection Commission, the, the Traffic Commission and in the General Political Bureau of the (KPA). Ri also held for almost 20 years the position of vice-chairman of the, according to the Rodong Sinmun.

The paper described Ri as being "a revolutionary soldier loyal to President and Chairman Kim Jong-il and a veteran revolutionary who lived a worthwhile life under the great trust and care of the respected Comrade Kim Jong-un". The article continued by qualifying his work as "feats [...] performed with total dedication to the and the  [that] will be remembered long by our people and the officers and men of the People's Army".

State-run radio reported that current leader Kim Jong-un visited the grave of the deceased, expressing "deep condolences on the occasion of his demise". Senior Party and KPA officials, , , , and  accompanied leader Kim to Ri Yong-mu's grave. Voice of Korea described Ri as being "a precious revolutionary comrade who made strenuous efforts for the strengthening and development of the Party, state and revolutionary armed forces until the last moment of his life".

A article reported Ri Yong-mu was awarded the  in 1992, the  in 2012. Ri was also a recipient of the honorary title.