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Hyon Yong-chol facts for kids

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Vice Marshal
Hyon Yong-chol
Minister of Defence
In office
June 12, 2014 – April 2015
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un
Preceded by Jang Jong-nam
Succeeded by Pak Yong-sik
Vice Chairman of the
Central Military Commission
In office
July 26, 2012 – May 24, 2013
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un
Preceded by Choe Ryong-hae
Ri Yong-ho
Succeeded by Choe Ryong-hae
Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army
In office
July 26, 2012 – May 24, 2013
Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un
Preceded by Ri Yong-ho
Succeeded by Kim Kyok-sik
Defence Minister Kim Jong-gak
Kim Kyok-sik
Jang Jong-nam
Personal details
Born
Hyon Yong-chol

(1949-01-11)January 11, 1949
Kyŏngsŏng County (modern Ŏrang County), North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Died April 30, 2015(2015-04-30) (aged 66) (rumored)
North Korea
Military service
Allegiance  North Korea
Branch/service Flag of the Korean People's Army Ground Force.svg Korean People's Army
Rank Vice-Marshal rank insignia (North Korea).svg Vice Marshal (reportedly demoted to General in November 2012)
Hyon Yong-chol
Chosŏn'gŭl
Hancha
Revised Romanization Hyeon Yeongcheol
McCune–Reischauer Hyŏn Yŏngch'ŏl

Hyon Yong-chol (Hangul: 현영철; born January 11, 1949 – rumored April 30, 2015) was a high-ranking North Korean military officer and politician. He served as the Minister of Defence for North Korea from 2014 to 2015. In 2015, there were reports that he was removed from his position.

Hyon Yong-chol's Life and Military Career

Hyon Yong-chol was born in January 1949. He joined the military in 1966. Over the years, he rose through the ranks.

In September 2010, Hyon was promoted to the rank of four-star general. This promotion happened alongside other important figures like Kim Jong-un. In December 2011, he was part of the national funeral committee after the death of Kim Jong-il. He also became a member of the Central Committee for the Workers' Party of Korea. In February 2012, he received a special award called the Order of Kim Jong-il.

In July 2012, Hyon was promoted again to Vice Marshal of the KPA. This happened shortly after another top general, Ri Yong-ho, was removed from his duties. Hyon then took over Ri's role as Chief of the General Staff. He was also named vice-chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea's Central Military Commission.

Later, in November 2012, Hyon was reportedly demoted back to the rank of General. In March 2013, he became an alternate member of the Politburo, which is a powerful political group. In May 2013, he was put in charge of the 5th Army Corps. Then, in June 2014, he was called back to the capital city, Pyongyang, to serve as the Minister of the People's Armed Forces.

Reports of Removal from Office

In May 2015, there were reports from South Korea's National Intelligence Service that Hyon Yong-chol had been removed from his position and possibly executed. These reports suggested he was executed in April 2015 near Pyongyang.

The reasons given for his removal included not following orders and reportedly falling asleep during important military meetings. However, these reports were not fully confirmed.

Hours after the first reports, South Korea's National Intelligence Service changed its statement. They said they had information suggesting an execution, but they could not fully confirm it. Doubts about the reports grew because Hyon was still shown on North Korean television. He was also mentioned in a North Korean newspaper on the very day he was supposedly executed. This made it seem unlikely that he was arrested and executed so quickly.

In July, North Korean state media named Pak Yong-sik as the new armed forces minister. However, they did not officially announce Hyon's removal. A South Korean spokesperson said that the reports about Hyon's execution should be considered rumors until there was clear proof. His rumored execution was never officially confirmed by North Korea.

Awards and Honors Received

Hyon Yong-chol received many awards and honors during his career. His official portrait shows him wearing all these decorations.

  • PRK Order of Kim Il Sung BAR
    Order of Kim Il-sung ribbon
    Order of Kim Il-sung
  • PRK Order of Kim Il Sung BAR
    Order of Kim Jong-il ribbon
    Order of Kim Jong-il
  • PRK Order of the National Flag - 1st Class BAR
    Order of the National Flag First Class ribbon
    Order of the National Flag First Class, seven times
  • FreedomAndIndependence1Ribbon
    Order of Freedom and Independence First Class ribbon
    Order of Freedom and Independence First Class, twice
  • DPRK Order of Labor
    Order of Korean Labour ribbon
    Order of Korean Labour, twice
  • DPRK 20th Anniversary Order
    Commemorative Order "50th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" ribbon
    Commemorative Order "50th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea"
  • KPA Foundation Commemorative Order
    Commemorative Order "Anniversary of the Foundation of the People's Army" ribbon
    Commemorative Order "Anniversary of the Foundation of the People's Army"
  • DPRK Order of Military Service Honor 1st Class
    Order of Military Service Honour First Class ribbon
    Order of Military Service Honour First Class
  • 30th Anniversary of the Publication of the Rural Theses Order ribbon
    Commemorative Order "30th Anniversary of the Agricultural Presentation" ribbon
    Commemorative Order "30th Anniversary of the Agricultural Presentation"
  • PRK Order of the National Flag - 2nd Class BAR
    Order of the National Flag Second Class ribbon
    Order of the National Flag Second Class, three times
  • FreedomAndIndependence2Ribbon
    Order of Freedom and Independence Second Class ribbon
    Order of Freedom and Independence Second Class
  • DPRK Order of Military Service Honor 2nd Class
    Order of Military Service Honour Second Class ribbon
    Order of Military Service Honour Second Class
  • DPRK Order of Three Great Revolutions
    Order of the Red Banner of Three Great Revolutions ribbon
    Order of the Red Banner of Three Great Revolutions
  • PRK Order of the National Flag - 3rd Class BAR
    Order of the National Flag Third Class ribbon
    Order of the National Flag Third Class, twice
  • DPRK Order of Military Service Honor 3rd Class
    Order of Military Service Honour Third Class ribbon
    Order of Military Service Honour Third Class
  • DPRK Soldiers Honor Order 2nd Class
    Soldier's Medal of Honour Second Class ribbon
    Soldier's Medal of Honour Second Class
  • Commemorative Medal Anniversary of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ribbon
    Commemorative Medal "The Foundation of the People's Republic of Korea" ribbon
    Commemorative Medal "The Foundation of the People's Republic of Korea"
  • DPRK Military Merit Medal
    Medal For Military Merit ribbon
    Medal For Military Merit

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See also

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