Ri Pyong-chol, Kim Jong-un's Yes Man and North Korea's Top Military Official

Ri Pyong-chol, the deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and a prominent figure in the North Korean military, recently made headlines with his announcement of plans to launch the first military satellite next 

month. However, the much-anticipated missile launch on May 31 ended in failure as it crashed into the West Sea. Despite this setback, the prospect of a potential re-launch has generated significant attention around Ri Pyong-chol and his role in the initial military satellite launch plan.

Ri Pyong-chol, born on August 2, 1948, has a mysterious background regarding his hometown and parentage. However, it is confirmed that he graduated from the Mangyongdae Revolution Academy, an esteemed institution exclusively attended by the offspring of high-ranking officials.

After graduating from the Mangyongdae Revolution Academy, Ri volunteered for the Korean People's Army Air Force (KPAAF). He later enrolled at the Kim Il Sung National Defense University, the elite military academy, under the command of Kim Jong-il. It was during this time that he began his journey as an elite military officer under the leadership of Kim Jong-il.

In 2007, Ri was appointed as the commander of the Air Force and had his first encounter with Kim Jong-un. He was promoted to general in 2010 and accompanied Kim Jong-il on his unofficial visit to Russia in 2011, ascending to the ranks of Kim Jong-il's close aides.

August 24, 2011 – Ri Pyong-chol looking on while Kim Jong-il and Russian President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev engage in conversation

In 2015, Ri served as the deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea during Kim Jong-un's inspection of the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force command headquarters. He played a crucial role in the development of nuclear weapons and missiles while serving as the deputy director of the Machine-Building Industry Department. In 2016, a photo was released showing Ri Pyong-chol smoking alongside Kim Jong-un during the successful test launch of a North Korean SLBM.

Despite his lifelong focus on fighter aircraft, Ri Pyong-chol was assigned the task of missile development by Kim Jong-un. His intense drive led him to push his researchers relentlessly, but this approach caused him to lose favor with the people and face criticism from officials and military personnel. After being dismissed from his position in October 2017, Ri Pyong-chol was reinstated just four months later in February 2018. In 2019, he was promoted to a member of the Political Bureau and appointed as the head of the Machine-Building Industry Department, overseeing North Korea's arms industry.

June 22, 2016 – Kim Jong-un (right), the Chairman of the WPK, embracing Ri Pyong-chol, Deputy Director of the Central Committee, while announcing the successful test launch of the BM-25 Musudan (Hwasong-10), a North Korean intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

In 2020, Ri was elected as a member of the State Affairs Commission and became the deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK. In October of the same year, he received the title of Marshal, along with Pak Jong-chon, the Chief of Staff, at a meeting of the Politburo of the WPK. In North Korea, the title of "Marshal" is the highest military honor bestowed upon ordinary soldiers, representing the pinnacle of the six-tier rank system—Marshal, Chasu, General, Lieutenant General, Major General, and Colonel. Ri Pyong-chol skipped the Chasu rank and was promoted directly from General to Marshal.

February 8, 2023 – Ri Pyong-chol, Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, saluting beside Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Armed Forces Day)

With the replacement of his rival, Pak Jong-chon, and the appointment of Ri Yong-gil as the deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, Ri Pyong-chol emerged as the sole military representative in the Political Bureau Standing Committee which comprises representatives from the party, the cabinet, the Supreme People's Assembly, and the military authorities.

However, given Ri Pyong-chol's age of 75 and his underlying health conditions, including heart disease, there is a considerable concern about his well-being and the potential burden he poses to Kim Jong-un. Furthermore, there are ongoing power struggles and conflicts with high-ranking officials, and there is a possibility that those exploiting foreign currency mechanisms, riding on their close relationship with Ri Pyong-chol, may become weak points. In fact, Ri Pyong-chol was dismissed on June 29th, 2021 due to corruption issues among his closest associates but later reinstated. Therefore, it remains uncertain how long he will remain as Kim Jong-un's closest confidant.