North Korean diplomat Kang Sok Ju died Friday, according to North Korean state media.

Kang, 76, died of esophageal cancer at 4:10 p.m. on Friday, according to the Pyongyang’s state-run Korean Central Broadcasting Station.

Born in Phyongwon County, South Phyongan Province, in 1939, Kang began his career in diplomacy and international affairs in 1980 after studying at Pyongyang Foreign Language University and at the International Relations University. He started in the International Department of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and later served as a vice minister and then first vice minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kang