Choi Yong-kun

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Choi Yong-kun
Chosŏn'gŭl:	최용건
Hanja:	崔庸健
McCune-Reischauer:	Choe Yonggŏn
Revised Romanization:	Choe Yong(-)geon

Choi Yong-Kun (1900–1976 or 1903–1972) was the North Korean defense minister between 1953-1957 and Korean People's Army chief commander from 1948-1953. the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, the highest post held by a North Korean politician, from 1957 to his death in 1972.

Choi Yong-Kun was born in T'aech'ŏn County (泰川郡) in North Pyongan, Korea, in 1900 or 1903. After having attended two military academies, he fought in the Northern Expedition of 1927 and took part in the Canton Communist riots in December later that year. He led a guerrilla unit against the Japanese after they occupied Manchuria in September 1931.

In August 1936, Choi became an officer in the Korean People's Revolutionary Army. Afterwards, he came into more promotions and by February 1948, he was appointed the commander-in-chief for all the armies of the Democratic Republic of Korea. He was in fact the senior field commander for all the North Korean armies during the Korean War, from the first invasion of South Korea in June 1950, to the final ceasefire in July 1953.

After the Korean War ended, Choi was promoted to vice marshal and was made the Minister of Defense between 1953 and 1957. In 1957, he was made the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly based in Pyongyang, the highest post held by a North Korean politician, a post he held from 1957 to his death.

Persondata
NAME	최용건
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	崔庸健 (Hanja), Choe Yonggŏn (McCune-Reischauer), Choi Yong Kun, Choe Yonggeon
SHORT DESCRIPTION	North Korean military person and politician
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