North Korea’s former propaganda chief, Kim Ki Nam, has passed away at the age of 94, as announced by state media.
Kim Ki Nam’s death was attributed to old age and “multiple organ dysfunction,” for which he had been undergoing treatment since 2022, according to KCNA.
For decades, Kim Ki Nam spearheaded propaganda efforts in the totalitarian state, notably crafting a personality cult around the ruling Kim dynasty.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un paid his respects at Kim Ki Nam’s funeral early on Wednesday, honoring the “veteran revolutionary” known for his unwavering loyalty to the regime.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency drew parallels between Kim Ki Nam and Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany, famous for his mantra “repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.”
Despite sharing the common family name, Kim Ki Nam had no familial ties to the ruling patriarchy. He rose through the ranks to become deputy director of Pyongyang’s Propaganda and Agitation Department in 1966, collaborating closely with Kim Jong Il, the predecessor of current leader Kim Jong Un.
Over time, Kim Ki Nam ascended to lead the department, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s messaging under what has become the world’s longest-running family dynasty.
Reports indicate a close relationship between Kim Ki Nam and Kim Jong Il, often described as “drinking buddies.” In the 1970s, he assumed control of the state mouthpiece, Rodong Sinmun newspaper.
Kim Ki Nam also spearheaded initiatives to solidify Kim Il Sung’s role as North Korea’s founding father and support Kim Jong Il’s succession, according to North Korea Leadership Watch.
Under his oversight, the propaganda department exerted strict control over communication and information flows in and out of the state, with South Korean and Western entertainment banned.
Kim Ki Nam made history as one of the few North Korean officials to visit South Korea, leading a delegation to attend the funeral of former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung in 2009.
Following the sudden death of Kim Jong Il in 2011, Kim Ki Nam played a crucial role in facilitating Kim Jong Un’s swift ascent to power, as the young leader was believed to be in his 20s at the time.
Kim Ki Nam’s passing marks the end of an era for North Korean propaganda, signifying a departure from previous generations’ emphasis on pan-Korean nationalism, according to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.
Today, Kim Jong Un’s regime leans heavily on nuclear weapons for political legitimacy and demonizes South Koreans, illustrating a shift in the state’s propaganda tactics.
