Choe Deok-sin
Encyclopedia
Choe Deok-sin was a South Korea
n Foreign Minister
who later defected with his wife, Ryu Mi Yong
, to North Korea
.
In 1936, Choe graduated from Republic of China Military Academy
, and served as a Republic of China Army
officer. When World War II
ended, Choe was promoted to colonel. After the war Choe returned South Korea and entered Army Academy as a second lieutenant. In 1949, Choe entered the United States Army Academy. On 14 July 1950, Choe returned South Korea. Choe served as a commanding general of 11th division under the United States IX Corps during Korean War
. His division did the Sancheong-Hamyang
and Geochang
massacres. After the military coup
, from 1961 to 1963, Choe served as a Foreign Minister
and Ambassador
to West Germany
.
In 1986, Choe defected with his wife Ryu Mi Yong
to North Korea
. Choe served as a chief of the central committee of Chondogyo religious movement.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n Foreign Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (South Korea)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in charge of diplomacy for South Korea, as well as handling external trade and matters related to overseas Korean nationals. It was established on 17 July 1948. Until 1998, the ministry was known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; its jurisdiction over...
who later defected with his wife, Ryu Mi Yong
Ryu Mi Yong
Ryu Mi Yong is the current chairwoman of the North Korean Chondoist Chongu Party. She is known as a defector from South Korea to the North. She and her husband Choe Deok-sin defected to the North in 1986. In 2000 she led a delegation of defectors to the South on an officially sanctioned reunion...
, to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
.
In 1936, Choe graduated from Republic of China Military Academy
Whampoa Military Academy
The Nationalist Party of China Army Officer Academy , commonly known as the Whampoa Military Academy , was a military academy in the Republic of China that produced many prestigious commanders who fought in many of China's conflicts in the 20th century, notably the Northern Expedition, the Second...
, and served as a Republic of China Army
Republic of China Army
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades...
officer. When World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended, Choe was promoted to colonel. After the war Choe returned South Korea and entered Army Academy as a second lieutenant. In 1949, Choe entered the United States Army Academy. On 14 July 1950, Choe returned South Korea. Choe served as a commanding general of 11th division under the United States IX Corps during Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. His division did the Sancheong-Hamyang
Sancheong-Hamyang massacre
The Sancheong and Hamyang massacre was a massacre conducted by a unit of the South Korean Army 11th Division during the Korean War. On 7 February 1951, 705 unarmed citizens in Sancheong and Hamyang, South Gyeongsang district of South Korea were killed. The victims were civilians and 85% of them...
and Geochang
Geochang massacre
The Geochang massacre was a massacre conducted by the third battalion of the 9th regiment of the 11th Division of the South Korean Army between 9 February 1951 and 11 February 1951 of 719 unarmed citizens in Geochang, South Gyeongsang district of South Korea. The victims included 385 children. The...
massacres. After the military coup
May Coup (South Korea)
The May Coup d'État was a military coup d'état carried out in South Korea by major general Park Chung-Hee and his subordinate officers on May 16, 1961. He justified his coup in the name of bringing the stability to the society and implementing the anti-communism policy...
, from 1961 to 1963, Choe served as a Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
and Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
In 1986, Choe defected with his wife Ryu Mi Yong
Ryu Mi Yong
Ryu Mi Yong is the current chairwoman of the North Korean Chondoist Chongu Party. She is known as a defector from South Korea to the North. She and her husband Choe Deok-sin defected to the North in 1986. In 2000 she led a delegation of defectors to the South on an officially sanctioned reunion...
to North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Choe served as a chief of the central committee of Chondogyo religious movement.
See also
- Sancheong-Hamyang massacreSancheong-Hamyang massacreThe Sancheong and Hamyang massacre was a massacre conducted by a unit of the South Korean Army 11th Division during the Korean War. On 7 February 1951, 705 unarmed citizens in Sancheong and Hamyang, South Gyeongsang district of South Korea were killed. The victims were civilians and 85% of them...
- Geochang massacreGeochang massacreThe Geochang massacre was a massacre conducted by the third battalion of the 9th regiment of the 11th Division of the South Korean Army between 9 February 1951 and 11 February 1951 of 719 unarmed citizens in Geochang, South Gyeongsang district of South Korea. The victims included 385 children. The...