Choe Ryong-Hae 7th Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK Flag since April 11, 2019 Date of Birth: 15.01.1950 Country: North Korea

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career
3. Youth Leadership and Sports Administration
4. Deputy Premier and Provincial Governor
5. Rise to Prominence
6. Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
7. Second-in-Command?

Early Life and Education

Choi Ryong-hae was born into a family with a rich military history. His father, Choi Hyun, was a close associate of Kim Il-sung and fought alongside him in the Soviet Red Army. Choi Ryong-hae received his education at the prestigious Mangyongdae Revolutionary School and Kim Il-sung University, where he later became a party instructor.

Political Career

In 1980, Choi Ryong-hae joined the Socialist Youth League (SSYL), the youth organization of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming deputy head of the SSYL in 1981. In this role, he traveled extensively to promote cultural exchange with countries such as the Soviet Union, China, and Japan.

Youth Leadership and Sports Administration

In 1986, Choi Ryong-hae was appointed First Secretary of the Central Committee of the SSYL, becoming a member of the WPK Central Committee. He also took on leadership roles in the country's sports organizations, serving as president of the North Korean Football Association (1990) and the Taekwondo Federation (1991).

Deputy Premier and Provincial Governor

After leaving his youth leadership positions in 1998, Choi Ryong-hae was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly and became a member of its Presidium. He also served as head of the General Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee. From 2006 to 2010, he was First Secretary of the WPK Committee in Hwanghae-pukto Province, gaining experience in leading a strategically important region.

Rise to Prominence

In 2010, Choi Ryong-hae was included in the delegation accompanying Kim Jong-il on his state visit to China. He was promoted to general of the army and elected to the WPK Central Military Commission and Secretariat. He was also a candidate member of the WPK Politburo.

Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission

During Kim Jong-un's rise to power, Choi Ryong-hae was promoted to vice marshal of the KPA and elected as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Council in 2012. He was also appointed head of the KPA's General Political Bureau.

Second-in-Command?

In 2013, Choi Ryong-hae visited China to discuss the Korean crisis with Chinese officials. After the arrest of Jang Song-thaek in 2013, some media outlets speculated that Choi Ryong-hae was second-in-command in North Korean politics after Kim Jong-un.

Chairman of the Presidium and Deputy Chairman of the State Affairs Commission

In 2016, Choi Ryong-hae became Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the highest legislative body in North Korea. He also became First Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, deputizing for Chairman Kim Jong-un.