Ri Pyong-chol
Ri Pyong-chol | |
---|---|
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea | |
In office 23 May 2020 – 30 June 2021 | |
Chairman | Kim Jong-un |
Preceded by | Choe Ryong-hae (until 2014) |
First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department | |
Leader | Kim Jong-un |
Personal details | |
Born | 1948 (age 73–74) North Korea |
Citizenship | North Korean |
Nationality | Korean |
Political party | Workers' Party of Korea |
Education | Red Flag Mangyongdae Revolutionary School |
Military service | |
Allegiance | North Korea |
Branch/service | Korean People's Army |
Rank | Marshal of the Korean People's Army |
Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 리병철 |
Hancha | 李炳鐵 |
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 served 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).[2][3]
General Ri's military and senior Party experience make him an important advisor to Kim Jong-un, especially during crisis.[3] He is an alternate member of the WPK Political Bureau, and a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.[4] Ri served in the Korean People's Army Air Force until 2014 at which time he became a senior party official.[5]
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".[6]
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.[7]
On 23 May 2020, Ri became a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.[8] 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.[9]
Following an unspecified "serious incident" in June 2021, Ri was stripped of his military title and demoted to a junior position in the party.[10]
References[]
- ^ a b "리병철" [Ri Pyong-chol] (in Korean). Ministry of Unification. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
- ^ "The NDC's Fall Lineup: Results of the 13th SPA". 38north.org. 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.
- Living people
- 1948 births
- North Korean politicians
- North Korean generals
- Members of the Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 7th Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 8th Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 7th Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 8th Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 6th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Members of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
- Vice Chairmen of the Workers' Party of Korea and its predecessors
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