Kim Yong-nam

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North Korea

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Kim Yongnam (Korean chosŏn'gŭl: 김영남; hanja: 金永南; McCune-Reischauer: Kim Yŏngnam; revised: Gim Yeongnam , born February 4, 1928) is a top North Korean official.

Although he is not de jure head of state of North Korea (as no such office exists), in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, he has the role of accepting the credentials of ambassadors, conducting foreign relations and signing treaties, making him the de facto head of state. He has held this office since September 5, 1998. Kim represents the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on all state visits and summits and receives visiting heads of state; he, Premier Pak Pong Ju, and Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il form a tripartite executive, each having powers equal to a third of a president's, controlling foreign relations, government, and defense, respectively.

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