General Choe Pu-il (Korean최부일; born 6 March 1944[1]) is a North Korean politician who served as head of North Korea's Ministry of People's Security.[2][3]

Choe Pu-il
최부일
Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly Legislation Committee
Assumed office
9 April 2014
Supreme LeaderKim Jong Un
Preceded byPak Nam-gi
Minister of People's Security
In office
February 2013 – 13 February 2020
Succeeded byKim Jong-ho
Personal details
Born (1944-03-06) March 6, 1944 (age 80)
Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
최부일
Hancha
崔富日
Revised RomanizationChoe Buil
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Puil

Biography

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In April 1992, he was promoted to major general and to general in October 1995. After serving as Deputy Chief of the General Staff in the Korean People's Army, he served as First Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations of the General Staff. He became a member of the Central Military Commission of the Party at the 3rd Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea held in September 2010. In the same month, along with Kim Jong Un, Kim Kyong-hui, Choe Ryong-hae, and Hyon Yong-chol, he received the military rank of General of the Army. He served as a commander at the April 2012 servicing ceremony, where Kim Jong Un gave his first speech.

He was appointed to the Minister of People's Security in February 2013 by Kim Jong Un[4] and was elected as a candidate for the Central Committee full meeting on March 31, 2013. He was elected as a member of the National Defense Commission.

He was elected delegate in the election to the 13th Supreme People's Assembly. On May 17, it was reported that he had visited a site of a collapsed high-rise apartment in the Pyongyang area of Pyongyang City and apologized to the bereaved family members and residents along with senior government officials. In December of the same year, it was confirmed that Choi had been demoted to major general. In October 2015, it was confirmed that Choi was again promoted to a general rank.

In July 2016, he was placed under sanctions by the United States government.[5]

In February 2020 he was replaced by Kim Jong-ho.[6]

On August 20, 2020, it was reported that he is now in charge of handling military affairs for the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.[7]

Awards and honors

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The official portrait of Choe shows Choe wearing all decorations awarded to him.[8]

  Order of Kim Il Sung

  Order of Kim Jong Il

  Order of the National Flag First Class, six times

  Order of Freedom and Independence First Class

  Order of Korean Labour

  Commemorative Order "20th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea"

  Commemorative Order "Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea"

  Commemorative Order "Anniversary of the Foundation of the People's Army"

  Order of Military Service Honour First Class

  Commemorative Order "30th Anniversary of the Agricultural Presentation"

  Order of the National Flag Second Class, twice

  Order of Freedom and Independence Second Class, twice

  Order of the Red Banner of Three Great Revolutions

  Order of the National Flag Third Class, twice

  Commemorative Medal "Fatherland Liberation"

  Commemorative Medal "The Foundation of the People's Republic of Korea"

  Medal For Military Merit, twice

  Commemorative Medal "Military Parade"

References

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  1. ^ 최부일(남성). nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr (in Korean). Ministry of Unification. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  2. ^ "N. Korea appoints new security chief". Yonhap. Seoul. April 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "President of Mongolia meets with Minister of People's Security of the National Defense Commission of North Korea". InfoMongolia.com. August 28, 2013.
  4. ^ Kang, Mi-jin (June 11, 2013). "Kim "Repromotes" Choi Bu Il". Daily NK. Seoul.
  5. ^ Brunnstrom, David; Pearson, James (6 July 2016). "North Korea warns of tough response after U.S. blacklisted leader". Reuters. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  6. ^ 朝鲜人民保安相换人 开城升格为特别市
  7. ^ "(2nd LD) Kim Jong-un delegated partial authority to sister: Spy agency". 20 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Gen. Choe Pu Il". North Korea Leadership Watch. 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of People's Security
February 2013-February 2020
Succeeded by