North Korean veteran statesman Ri Yong Mu dies aged 97

Saturday, January 29, 2022 

North Korean state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported the death of high-ranking political and military official Ri Yong Mu, who passed away from an acute myocardial infarction on the morning of January 27 at age 97.

Ri held positions in the State Inspection Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, the Traffic Commission and in the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army (KPA). Ri also held for almost 20 years the position of vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission, according to the Rodong Sinmun.

The paper described Ri as being "a revolutionary soldier loyal to President Kim Il Sung 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 [Workers' Party of Korea] and the revolution [that] will be remembered long by our people and the officers and men of the People's Army".

State-run radio Voice of Korea 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 Jo Yong Won, Kim Tok Hun, Pak Jong Chon, Ri Il Hwan, Ri Yong Gil and Kwon Yong Jin 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 Yonhap News Agency article reported Ri Yong Mu was awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung in 1992, the Order of Kim Jong Il in 2012. Ri was also a recipient of the honorary title Hero of the Republic.

Related news

• "Younger brother of North Korean founding leader dies aged 101" — Wikinews, December 16, 2021

Sources

• Pae Yeong Kyeong. "북한 김정은, 리용무 전 국방위원 빈소 방문해 애도" — Yonhap News Agency, January 29, 2022 (Korean)
• "Ri Yong Mu Passes Away" — Rodong Sinmun, January 28, 2022
• "President of State Affairs Kim Jong Un visits bier of late Ri Yong Mu" — Voice of Korea, January 28, 2022