Hyon Chol-hae

Marshal of the Korean People's Army Hyon Chol-hae (Korean: 현철해; born August 13, 1934) is a North Korean military officer.

In this Korean name, the family name is Hyon.
Hyon Chol-hae
Vice director of the General Political Department
In office
1986–1995
Supreme LeaderKim Jong-il
Personal details
Born(1934-08-13)13 August 1934
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Rank Marshal of the Korean People's Army

During the Korean War, Hyon served as Kim Il-sung's bodyguard, a role which gave him "a place in North Korea's revolutionary history". He was director of the General Logistics Department of the Korean People's Army from 1986 to 1995, when he was appointed deputy director of the General Political Department, becoming one of the senior most members of the North Korean military and political leadership. He has been described as being in "close proximity" to Kim Jong-il, and as reporting directly to him. It had been suggested that, following the death of Kim Jong-il, he may have taken part in a military council leadership of the country.[1] He was transferred to director of the Standing Bureau of the National Defence Commission. He has been a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea since 1991.

In April 2012, he received important promotions as Vice Marshal, member of the Workers Party of Korea's Politburo and Central Military Commission, first vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces and director of the army's General Logistics Department.

He was replaced as first vice-minister of defence by his own predecessor as logistics director Jon Chang-bok in May 2013.

On April 15, 2016, Hyon Chol-hae became the fifth person[2] to be promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Korean People's Army,[3] being one of the first two promotions of active duty officers after 21 years.

References
  1. "Who will succeed N Korea's Kim Jong-il?", BBC, January 16, 2009
  2. "Why Kim Jong Un likely won't be appointing any new Vice-Marshals any time soon". Fyodor Tertitskiy. March 27, 2020.
  3. "Gen. Hyon Chol Hae". North Korea Leadership Watch. 24 February 2018.
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