Kim Jong-un •

Kim Yang Gon, 73, died Wednesday in a car crash, a state-run news agency reported.

According to a state-run news organization, Kim Yang Gon, North Korea’s top negotiator died in car crash. The new agency declined to provide more details.

Kim Yang Gon, 73, was a key high-rank official who was in charge with handling the tense diplomatic relationships with South Korea for years. The report comes after a series of other incidents involving high-ranking officials who died in similar circumstances.

Kim Yang Gon was in office since the time of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who died in Dec. 2011. The official’s death was revealed Wednesday by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In August, Kim Yang Gon managed to restore peace between the two countries after an armed conflict at the border. He ran the governmental department that handles peace negotiations and other issues with South Korea.

Kim was especially popular at Pyongyang and one of the most trusted men of the current leader Kim Jong Un and his family. People who knew him said that he was very close to Kim.

Nevertheless, when people hear about the death of a top official in North Korea, they suspect that the government done it. Many politicians were either purged in ‘accidents’ ot bluntly executed. For instance, Kim Jong Un ordered his own uncle execution a couple of years ago, and the media called the deceased a “human scum” and other unflattering descriptions.

As for Kim Yang Gon, the state-run media used a totally different wording praising him on every occasion. KCNA called the official “closest comrade-in-arms” to the current leader, who played a huge role in the communist revolution.

The government ordered a state funeral where only high-ranking officials were invited. Mourners were also invited to pay homage to the great man. But some political analysts see Kim Yang Gon’s death circumstances at least ‘suspicious.’

Han Park of the University of Georgia where he teaches international relations recalls that the man before Kim Yang Gon in office also died in a car crash. Park is especially interested in North Korea, and managed to negotiate the release of two U.S. journalists from the country six years ago.

But Park cannot envision that between Kim Yang Gon and the supreme could have been a disagreement. Nevertheless, he underscored that many top officials died in traffic accidents.

And this is all the more puzzling since high-ranking officials have a tight security when they travel around the country. Most of the times, streets are cleared beforehand to allow them to pass in safety. Still, this is why many top officials loved to speed. So, theoretically, accidents can happen.
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After a top United States intelligence office secured their release from North Korea, 24-year-old Matthew Todd Miller and 46-year-old Kenneth Bae landed safely at Lewis-Mchord airport base in Washington State where they were greeted by grateful family members.

Both Americans had been held in North Korea for what most consider minimal crimes. Bae, a missionary from Lynnwood, Washington was arrested by the North Koreans in November 2012 and given a sentence of 15 years hard labor. Miller who is from Bakersfield, California was captured in April of this year and given a sentence of six years hard labor.

Bae exited the plane first and after being surrounded by family, he thanked President Obama but also the North Korean regime for allowing his release and return home. He added that while imprisoned, he went through a difficult time and knew his family had been tormented.

According to family members, Bae is in poor health. Reportedly, he has diabetes, back problems, and an enlarged heart. While held captive, he lost a lot of weight from being forced to work in the fields every day but he also felt the experience was an opportunity to learn and grow.

Just 10 minutes after leaving the plane, Miller followed although he gave no statement. Instead, he was hugged by his family as he reached the bottom step. In an earlier statement from North Korean officials, Miller, who tore up his tourist visa at Pyongyang airport and demanded asylum, wanted to experience prison life so he could covertly investigate the human rights situation in their country.

The release of Bae and Miller followed careful negotiations with the North Koreans, thanks to James Clapper, US director of national intelligence. Clapper was also onboard the flight with both men.

Although Clapper is being hailed for Bae and Miller’s safe return, basketball star Dennis Rodman claims to have played a key role in their release since he has become personal friends with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. Rodman said he sent a letter to Kim Jong-un, asking for mercy pertaining to the two men held captive.

Because the actions of the North Korean regime are unusual, analysts weighed in on the reasons that Bae and Miller were freed. One analyst who studies the country intently believes the men’s release was a bid to ease pressure regarding North Korea’s record of human rights, which is known to consist of torture, forced labor, rape, and executions in prison camps.

Sue Mi Terry, former senior intelligence analyst believes North Korea was concerned that their leader, Kim Jong-un, would be accused in the International Criminal Court. Bruce Klingner, former CIA analyst agrees that putting attention on the country’s human rights record concerned the North Korean regime.

Regardless of why Bae and Miller were freed, family members and friends are thrilled to have both men back home where they belong.

In a White House statement, President Obama said this is wonderful for the men and their families. A high-ranking administration official confirmed that the mission was approved by Obama last week and that after Clapper met with North Korean security officials, not Kim Jung-un, the mission was a success.

North Korea’s Top Negotiator Dies in Car Crash

North Korea Frees Last Two American Detainees

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