Hyon Yong-chol
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:36:25 PM Wikipedia source
Hyon Yong-chol (Korean: 현영철; January 11, 1949 – possibly executed April 30, 2015) was a North Korean general and Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) politician. He served as Minister of Defence from 2014 to 2015. In 2015, he was reportedly removed from his post.
Infobox
Supreme Leader
Kim Jong Un
Preceded by
Ri Yong-ho
Succeeded by
Kim Kyok-sik
Defence Minister
Kim Jong-gakKim Kyok-sikJang Jong-nam
Born
Hyon Yong-chol(1949-01-11)January 11, 1949Kyongsong County, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Died
April 30, 2015(2015-04-30) (aged 66) (rumored)North Korea
Allegiance
North Korea
Branch/service
Korean People's Army
Rank
Vice Marshal (reportedly demoted to General in November 2012)
Tables
· References
Preceded byJang Jong-nam
Preceded byJang Jong-nam
Political offices
Preceded byJang Jong-nam
Political offices
Minister of People's Armed Forces 2014–2015
Political offices
Succeeded byPak Yong-sik
Party political offices
Party political offices
Political offices
Party political offices
Preceded byChoe Ryong-haeRi Yong-ho
Preceded byChoe Ryong-haeRi Yong-ho
Political offices
Preceded byChoe Ryong-haeRi Yong-ho
Political offices
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission 2012–2013 Served alongside: Choe Ryong-hae
Political offices
Succeeded byChoe Ryong-hae
Military offices
Military offices
Political offices
Military offices
Preceded byRi Yong-ho
Preceded byRi Yong-ho
Political offices
Preceded byRi Yong-ho
Political offices
Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army 2012–2013
Political offices
Succeeded byKim Kyok-sik
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byJang Jong-nam | Minister of People's Armed Forces 2014–2015 | Succeeded byPak Yong-sik |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded byChoe Ryong-haeRi Yong-ho | Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission 2012–2013 Served alongside: Choe Ryong-hae | Succeeded byChoe Ryong-hae |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded byRi Yong-ho | Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army 2012–2013 | Succeeded byKim Kyok-sik |
References
- "Hyon Yong-chol, the general who rose out of obscurity"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32716835
- Yoanhap News Agencyhttps://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20120717000800315
- "North Korean Leadership Dynamics and Decision-making under Kim Jong-un : A Second Year Assessment"https://www.cna.org/CNA_files/PDF/COP-2014-U-006988-Final.pdf#25
- "N Korea names new vice-marshal in military reshuffle"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18865891
- "DPRK awards Hyon Yong Chol title of KPA vice marshal"https://web.archive.org/web/20120721070336/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-07/17/c_123420259.htm
- CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/16/world/asia/north-korea-new-leader/index.html
- china.org.cnhttp://www.china.org.cn/world/2012-07/19/content_25953916.htm
- nkleadershipwatch.wordpress.comhttps://nkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/kim-jong-un-attends-performance-by-kpisf-visits-health-complex-outdoor-ice-rink/
- Arirang TV
- The Chosun Dailyhttps://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2012/10/11/PJ3DL7STR3HL6VP22CSPG3QUNY/
- nkeconwatch.comhttps://www.nkeconwatch.com/2013/04/01/2013-plenary-meeting-of-wpk-central-committee-and-supreme-peoples-assembly/
- "N.Korea's Military Reshuffles Are a Dangerous Sign", The Chosun Ilbo, 24 May 2013.
- "North Korea Defence Chief Hyon Yong-chol 'executed'"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32716749
- france24.comhttps://www.france24.com/en/20150513-north-korea-executes-defence-chief-treason-charges
- "Kim Jong Un Purges Defense Chief for Napping, Lawmaker Says"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-13/kim-jong-un-purges-defense-minister-south-korean-lawmaker-says
- "Reports: North Korea publicly executes defense chief"https://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/12/asia/north-korea-defence-ministesr/index.html
- "North Korea defense chief was purged, maybe not executed, says Seoul's spy agency"http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/05/13/North-Korea-defense-chief-was-purged-maybe-not-executed-says-Seouls-spy-agency/1931431522581/
- New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/world/asia/some-doubt-that-north-korea-executed-a-top-general.html?_r=1
- "Seoul: North Korea media confirms purging of defense chief"https://news.yahoo.com/seoul-north-korea-media-confirms-purging-defense-chief-030411677.html/
- "Defense chief Hyon Yong Chol replaced, confirms Pyongyang"http://www.northkoreatimes.com/index.php/sid/234750109
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/13/north-korean-defence-minister-executed-by-anti-aircaft-gun-report
- United Press Internationalhttps://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/12/19/North-Korea-diplomat-Wiretap-led-to-Hyon-Yong-Chols-execution/5901482157398/
- defensenews.comhttps://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2015/05/14/report-north-korean-defense-chief-executed/