The South Korean government sent a message of condolences over the passing of Kim Yang Gon death on Wednesday.

Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo sent the message to the United Front Department at 10:40 a.m. regarding Kim’s death.

“I offer my condolences, hearing of the death of the director of the United Front Department and Party Secretary Kim Yang Gon, with whom we achieved a meaningful agreement in August,” the message reads.

Kim and Hong on August 25 signed an agreement after a marathon round of talks, resolving the late-summer crisis stemming from a landmine detonation that maimed two South Korean soldiers