VMAR Ri Yong Ho (General Staff Department)
Updated 13 November 2010
Vice Marshal Ri Yong Ho is the Chief of the (MPAF) KPA General Staff , Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He is also a member of the CC KWP Political Bureau Presidium. VMAR Ri was appointed GSD Chief, replacing General Kim Kyok-sik in February 2009 in a personnel shuffle in the Ministry of People’s Armed Forces. Gen. Ri is a 3rd Generation DPRK elite who is highly likely to take a leading role in a post-KJI regime, having close ties both to KJI and Jang Song Taek.
Ri Yong Ho was born in Kangwon Province in 1942. He attended Kim Il Sung Military Academy.
According to KCNA Ri Yong Ho has served as manager of KPA training schools, a divisional Chief of Staff and vice director of the GSD Operations Bureau. Ri was promoted to Major General in April 2002, along with his supposed benefactor, Jang Song U who was promoted to Vice Marshal. In 2003 Ri was appointed commanding officer of the Pyongyang Defense Command, replacing VMAR Pak Ki So.
Command of the PDC is a prestigious position within the KPA, as it responsible for the protection of Pyongyang and its immediate vicinity. The PDC commander traditionally has familial or marital relations to the Kim Family, or close personal ties to the Supreme Commander.
The cover of the KPA daily detailing a story on a statue unveiling ceremony in honor of KIS, KJI and Kim Jong Suk
In 2010 Gen. Ri has appeared as a reporter or speaker at several significant events, often with NDC Member and GPB Senior Deputy Director, Gen. Kim Jong Gak. Gen. Ri presided over a ceremony at the MPAF unveiling three bronze statues of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Suk and Kim Jong Il.
Ri Yong Ho was promoted to Vice Marshal, and on 28 September 2010, was elected Vice Chairman of the party’s Central Military Commission and a member of the CC KWP Political Bureau. Ri serves as CMC Vice Chairman with Gen. Kim Jong Un, the hereditary successor to KJI. Ri gave the keynote speech and participated in the troop inspection during the KPA parade held in October 2010 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Korean Workers’ Party.
Ri Yong Ho led a KPA delegation on a 5 day sojourn to Cuba that departed the country on 28 October 2010 and returned to the DPRK on 6 November. VMAR Ri met with Raul Castro, and the KPA delegation toured a Cuban military school and watched an anti-tank exercise. Ri also spoke at a graveside service for the late NDC 1st Vice Chairman and GPD Director, VMAR Jo Myong Rok in November 2010.
Kim Jong Un (seated, 2nd L) poses for a commemorative photograph at Kumsusan in September 2010. Among those in attendance are: VMAR Kim Yong Chun (seated L), VMAR Ri Yong Ho (seated, 2nd R), Jang Song Taek (standing, R) and Kim Yang Gon (standing 3rd R) (Photo: KCNA)
VMAR Ri (C) speaking on the parade review stand on 10 October 2010 (Photo: KCTV/KCNA)
