Choe Kwang

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This article is about a North Korean general. For the South Korean economist and former health minister, see Choi Kwang (economist).

In this Korean name, the family name is Choe.
Choe Kwang
최광
Vice Chairmen of the National Defence Commission
In office
1990–1997
LeaderKim Il Sung
Kim Jong Il
Member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
In office
1988–1997
LeaderKim Il Sung
Kim Jong Il
Minister of People's Armed Forces
In office
1995–1997
LeaderKim Jong Il
Preceded byO Jin-u
Succeeded byKim Il-chol
Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
In office
1962–1968
LeaderKim Il-sung
Preceded byKim Chang-bong
Succeeded byO Jin-u
In office
February 1988 – February 1997
Preceded byO Kuk-ryol
Succeeded byKim Yong-chun
Personal details
BornJuly 17, 1918
Kankyōhoku-dō (North Hamgyong Province), Korea, Empire of Japan
DiedFebruary 21, 1997(1997-02-21) (aged 78)
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Branch/service Korean People's Army
Rank Marshal of the Korean People's Army
Commands1st Infantry Division
Battles/wars
See battles

Korean independence movement

Korean War

Marshal Choe Kwang (최광,Hanja: 崔光[1] July 17, 1918 – February 21, 1997) was a prominent military leader in North Korea.

Biography[edit]

He graduated from the Soviet Military School and served as captain in the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army until the end of the Japanese occupation. In February 1948, he took office as the 1st Division Commander of the Korean People's Army. In September 1948, he was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly. In June 1950, the 13th Division Commander of the Chosun People's Army and in October 1952, Kang Kun-Gun School (currently Kang-Gun General School) was inaugurated. In October 1953, he became the commander of the 5th Corps of the Chosun People's Army, and in January 1954, he was promoted to Lieutenant General of the Chosun People's Army and became the Chief of Staff of the 1st Corps.

In April 1956, he was elected as a candidate for the Central Committee of the Party at the 3rd Party Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. In June 1958, he became the commander of the Air Force, and in June 1960, he was promoted to the Korean People's Army. In September 1961, he was elected as the central member of the party at the 4th Party Congress. In September 1962 he became vice of the National Security Agency (Abolished in 1972 and reorganized into the Ministry of People's Armed Forces). In February 1963, he was promoted to Captain of the Korean People's Army and became the Chief of General of Staff. On October 2, 1966, he was elected as a candidate for the Political Committee of the Party at the 2nd Party Delegates' Meeting, and in December 1967 he was elected to the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly. However, in March 1969, he was dismissed and became a mining worker.

In April 1976, he was reinstated while taking office as chairman of the People's Committee of the South Hwanghae Province. At the 6th Party Congress in October 1980, he was elected to the Central Committee of the WPK and the candidate member of the Political Bureau. In March 1981, he became Deputy Prime Minister Jung Moo-won. In April 1982, Jung Moo-won was inaugurated as Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Fisheries Committee. On February 12, 1988, he withdrew from the deputy prime minister and transferred to the military. He was inaugurated as the Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army[2] and a member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.

On May 23, 1990, he was elected a member of the Party's Political Bureau at the 18th Plenary Session of the 6th Party Central Committee, and took office as vice-president of the National Defence Commission . In 1991, he was elected as a member of the Party's Central Military Committee, and on April 20, 1992, he was granted the title of Deputy General of the Korean People's Army. On October 8, 1995, he was appointed Minister of the People's Armed Forces.[3] and was awarded the rank of Marshal of the Korean People's Army.

He was one of three military officers in the North Korean Armed Forces who reached rank of Wonsu (Marshal) with the title "Marshal of the Korean People's Army".[2]

Death and funeral[edit]

Choe died of a heart attack on February 21, 1997.[4] On his funeral committee were:[5]

  1. Kim Jong Il
  2. Ri Jong-ok
  3. Pak Song-chol
  4. Kim Yong-ju
  5. Kim Yong-nam
  6. Ri Ul-sol
  7. Jo Myong-rok
  8. Kim Yong-chun
  9. Kye Ung-thae
  10. Chon Pyong-ho
  11. Han Song-ryong
  12. Kim Chol-man
  13. Choe Thae-bok
  14. Yang Hyong-sop
  15. Chon Un-sop
  16. Hong Song-nam
  17. Hong Sok-hyong
  18. Kim Kuk-thae
  19. Kim Ki-nam
  20. Kim Jung-rin
  21. Kim Yong-sun
  22. Yun Ki-bok
  23. Kim Kwang-chin
  24. Paek Hak-rim
  25. Kim Ik-hyon
  26. Ri Tu-ik
  27. Choe In-tok
  28. Hwang Sun-hui
  29. Choe Song-suk
  30. Kim Yong-yon
  31. Ri Jong-san
  32. Kim Jong-kak
  33. O Ryong-pang
  34. Ri Pyong-uk
  35. Jong Chang-ryol
  36. Ri Yong-su
  37. Kim Ha-kyu
  38. Hyon Chol-hae
  39. Won Ung-hui
  40. Pak Jae-kyong
  41. Ri Myong-su
  42. Kim Tae-sik
  43. Ok Pong-ran
  44. Kim Myong-kuk
  45. Kim Kyok-sik
  46. Chang Song-u
  47. Chon Chin-su
  48. Ju Sang-song
  49. Kim Il-chol
  50. Kang Tong-yon
  51. Pak Ki-song
  52. Ri Yong-chol
  53. Kim Yong-un
  54. Chon Jae-son
  55. Yo Chun-sok
  56. Kim Song-kyu
  57. Jong Ho-kyun
  58. Paek Sang-ho
  59. Ri Thaek-chol
  60. O Kum-chol
  61. Ri Yong-hwan
  62. Kim Hyong-ryong
  63. Chon Chi-ryon
  64. Choe Sang-ryo
  65. Ri Pyong-sam
  66. Chi Yong-jun
  67. Kim Ki-son
  68. Pak Sung-won
  69. An Pi-tuk
  70. Ri Pong-ju
  71. Kim Sung-yon
  72. Ri Chang-han
  73. Jong Thae-kun
  74. Yom Chol-song
  75. Pyon Sang-mo
  76. Kim Mun-hong
  77. Ri Chu-ul
  78. Han Tae-myon
  79. Son Chol-ju
  80. Kim Sang-thae
  81. Choe Ho-jun
  82. Tong Yong-il
  83. Kim Ki-nam
  84. Paek Bo-kyong
  85. Kim Tu-nam

References[edit]

  1. ^ "최광(남성)". 북한정보포털.
  2. ^ a b "Brief biography of Choe Kwang". Korean Central News Agency. February 22, 1997. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  3. ^ Publications, Europa; limited, Europa Publications (2001). A Political Chronology of Central, South and East Asia. Psychology Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-85743-114-8.
  4. ^ "Choe Kwang dies". Korean Central News Agency. February 22, 1997. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  5. ^ 북한 인민무력부장 崔光 사망. The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). February 22, 1997. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of People's Armed Forces
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Office establisted
 Vice Chairmen of the National Defence Commission
1990–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Vice Minister of People's Armed Forces
1962– 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 Vice Premier of North Korea
March 1981– May 24, 1990 		Succeeded by
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
1962–1968 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
1988–1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
 commander of the korean peoples air force Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force
1958– 		Succeeded by
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