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).[2][3]

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
Commander of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force
Assumed office
Unknown
Supreme CommanderKim Jong-un
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
In office
23 May 2020 – 30 June 2021
ChairmanKim Jong-un
Preceded byChoe Ryong-hae (until 2014)
Personal details
Born1948 (age 73–74)
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
Rank Marshal of the Korean People's Army
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
리병철
Hancha
李炳鐵
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.[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] 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.

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


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