Ri Pyong-chol

Ri Pyong-chol (born 1948)[1] is a North Korean former general and close advisor of Kim Jong-un. He is also a relative of Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju. He currently serves as a director of a department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and member of the National Defense Commission (NDC).[2]

This article is about a North Korean general. For the South Korean businessman, see Lee Byung-chul.
This is a Korean name; the family name is Ri.
Ri Pyong-chol
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
Assumed office
23 May 2020
ChairmanKim Jong-un
Personal details
Born1948 (age 71–72)
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 Air Force General
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
리병철
Hancha
李炳鐵
Revised RomanizationI Byeong-cheol
McCune–ReischauerRi Pyŏng-ch'ŏl

He is an alternate member of the WPK Political Bureau, and a deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly.[3] Ri served in the Korean People's Army Air Force until 2014 at which time he became a senior party official.[4] He also served as an advisor to Kim Jong-il as early as 2008.[3]

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"[5]

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.[6]

On 23 May 2020, Ri became a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.[7]

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. "Ri Pyong Chol | North Korea Leadership Watch". nkleadershipwatch.org. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  4. "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.
  5. "Treasury issues sanctions against 2 North Korean officials | Chicago Sun-Times". chicago.suntimes.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  6. Kim, Jeongmin (1 January 2020). "North Korea's New Year's Eve party plenum reveals major leadership reshuffle". NK News. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  7. Zwirko, Colin (24 May 2020). "Rising stars: North Korea promotes two high-profile military officials". NK News. Retrieved 25 May 2020.


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