Ri Pyong-chol

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).[3][4]

This article is about a North Korean general. For the South Korean businessman, see Lee Byung-chul.
In this Korean name, the family name is Ri.
Marshal
Ri Pyong-chol
Ri in 2023
Commander of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force
In office
Unknown–Unknown
Supreme CommanderKim Jong Un
Succeeded byGeneral Kim Kwang-hyok
First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department
LeaderKim Jong Un
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
Assumed office
21 June 2022
ChairmanKim Jong Un
Preceded bySeat created
In office
23 May 2020 – 30 June 2021
Preceded byChoe Ryong-hae (until 2014)
Personal details
Born1948 (age 74–75)
North Korea
CitizenshipNorth Korean
NationalityKorean
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
EducationRed Flag Mangyongdae Revolutionary School
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Branch/service Korean People's Army
Years of service1965-present
Rank Marshal of the Korean People's Army
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
리병철
Hancha
李炳鐵[1]/李炳哲[2]
Revised RomanizationI Byeong-cheol
McCune–ReischauerRi Pyŏngch'ŏl

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

During the February 8, 2023 parade, Ri was seen wearing all decorations awarded to him.[12]

References
  1. "리병철" [Ri Pyong-chol] (in Korean). Ministry of Unification. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  2. 리병철(李炳哲)LEE Byeong Cheol 연합뉴스
  3. "The NDC's Fall Lineup: Results of the 13th SPA". 38north.org. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  4. Collins, Robert. "North Korea's ORGANIZATION AND GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT" (PDF). hrnk.org. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  5. "Ri Pyong Chol | North Korea Leadership Watch". nkleadershipwatch.org. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  6. "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.
  7. "Treasury issues sanctions against 2 North Korean officials | Chicago Sun-Times". chicago.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  8. Kim, Jeongmin (1 January 2020). "North Korea's New Year's Eve party plenum reveals major leadership reshuffle". NK News. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  9. Zwirko, Colin (24 May 2020). "Rising stars: North Korea promotes two high-profile military officials". NK News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  10. "Title of KPA Marshal Conferred in DPRK". Korean Central News Agency. 6 October 2020.
  11. "North Korea reveals new top military brass days after politburo meeting". NK News. 6 September 2021.
  12. 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
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