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), First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department (OGD), and member of the National Defense Commission (NDC).[2][3]

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
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 May 2020
Chairman	Kim Jong-un
Personal details
Born	1948 (age 71–72) 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	Air Force General
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl	리병철
Hancha	李炳鐵
Revised Romanization	I Byeong-cheol
McCune–Reischauer	Ri Pyŏng-ch'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]

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. 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.