Ri Pyong-chol
Ri Pyong-chol | |
---|---|
Commander of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force | |
In office unknown–unknown | |
Supreme Commander | Kim Jong Un |
Chairman | Kim Jong Un |
Succeeded by | Kim Kwang-hyok |
First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department | |
Assumed office unknown | |
Leader | Kim Jong Un |
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | |
Assumed office 21 June 2022 | |
Chairman | Kim Jong Un |
Preceded by | Seat created |
In office 23 May 2020 – 30 June 2021 | |
Preceded by | Choe Ryong-hae |
Personal details | |
Born | 1948 (age 75–76) North Korea |
Citizenship | North Korean |
Nationality | Korean |
Political party | Workers' Party of Korea |
Education | Red Flag Mangyongdae Revolutionary School |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1965–present |
Rank | ![]() |
Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 리병철 |
Hancha | |
Revised Romanization | I Byeong-cheol |
McCune–Reischauer | Ri Pyŏngch'ŏl |
Ri Pyong-chol (Korean: 리병철, born 1948)[1] is a North Korean marshal and formerly a top advisor of supreme leader Kim Jong Un, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. He is a relative of Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju. He currently also serves as a director of a department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and First Deputy Director of the WPK Organization and Guidance Department (OGD).[3][4]
General Ri's military and senior Party experience make him an important advisor to Kim Jong Un, especially during crisis.[4] He is an alternate member of the WPK Political Bureau, and a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.[5] Ri served in the Korean People's Army Air Force until 2014 at which time he became a senior party official.[6]
In December 2017, the U.S. Treasury department issued sanctions against him, blocking him from "any property or interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction, and prohibits [him] from transactions with American citizens".[7]
In late 2019, Ri became a director of a department of the Central Committee of the party, possibly of the Munitions Industry Department, where he was previously the senior deputy director.[8]
On 23 May 2020, Ri became a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.[9] On 13 August he also became a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. On 5 October, he was promoted to Marshal of the Korean People's Army.[10]
Following an unspecified "serious incident" in June 2021, Ri was stripped of his military title and demoted to a junior position in the party.[11] He was again identified as a Politburo Presidium member and secretary of the Central Committee at the celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Korean People's Army on 25 April 2022.
Awards and honors
[edit]During the 8 February 2023 parade, Ri was seen wearing all decorations awarded to him.[12]
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "리병철" [Ri Pyong-chol] (in Korean). Ministry of Unification. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
- ^ 리병철(李炳哲)LEE Byeong Cheol 연합뉴스
- ^ "The NDC's Fall Lineup: Results of the 13th SPA". 38 North. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ a b Collins, Robert. "North Korea's ORGANIZATION AND GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT" (PDF). hrnk.org. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Ri Pyong Chol | North Korea Leadership Watch". nkleadershipwatch.org. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ "Who Are the North Korean Officials Sanctioned by the U.S.? Kim Jong Sik and Ri Pyong Chol Are the Real Rocket Men". newsweek.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ "Treasury issues sanctions against 2 North Korean officials | Chicago Sun-Times". chicago.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ Kim, Jeongmin (1 January 2020). "North Korea's New Year's Eve party plenum reveals major leadership reshuffle". NK News. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (24 May 2020). "Rising stars: North Korea promotes two high-profile military officials". NK News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Title of KPA Marshal Conferred in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 6 October 2020.
- ^ "North Korea reveals new top military brass days after politburo meeting". NK News. 6 September 2021.
- ^ 조선인민군창건 75돐경축 열병식 성대히 거행 DPRK Military Parade Marks 75th KPA Birthday 朝鮮人民軍創建75周年慶祝閲兵式(軍パレード)盛大に挙行, retrieved 2023-02-10