Paek Nam-sun (Korean백남순; Korean pronunciation: [pɛŋ.nam.sun] or [pɛk̚] [nam.sun]; March 13, 1929 – January 2, 2007) was the North Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1998 until his death. He was one of the few North Koreans to frequently be in the international spotlight.

Paek Nam-sun
백남순
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
September 1998 – 2 January 2007
Supreme LeaderKim Jong Il
Preceded byKim Yong-nam
Succeeded byKang Sok-ju (Acting)
Personal details
Born13 March 1929
Died2 January 2007 (aged 77)
Paek Nam-sun
Chosŏn'gŭl
백남순
Hancha
Revised RomanizationBaek Nam-sun
McCune–ReischauerPaek Namsun

Early life

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Paek was born in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province.

Education

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Paek graduated from Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang.

Career

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In 1968, Paek became vice director of the International Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea. Paek participated in the first round of North-South Red Cross talks in 1972.

In 1974, Paek became the ambassador to Poland until 1979.

Paek also served on the Supreme People's Assembly from 1990 until the time of his death, having been elected to the 9th, 10th, and 11th sessions.

Personal life

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His third son Paek Ryong-Chon became the president of the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 2011.[1]

Death

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Paek died on 2 January 2007[2] in Pyongyang. North Korean state media attributed the death to an undefined illness although it was said that he suffered from kidney disease.[2] He was the only North Korean foreign minister to have met his American counterpart.[3]

Paek was ill for some time prior to his death and the role was filled by one of his deputies, most notably Kim Kye-gwan.

See also

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References and notes

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  1. ^ "北 백남순 3남 백룡천… 조선중앙은행 총재 임명". 9 March 2011.
  2. ^ a b Jae-Soon Chang, "North Korea foreign minister dies at 78", Associated Press (ABC News), January 3, 2007.
  3. ^ "North Korea Announces Death Of Foreign Minister". VOA News. Voice of America. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2009.[permanent dead link]
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Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs
1998–2007
Succeeded by