14 Facts About Kim Yong-chun

Kim Yong-chun was a North Korean soldier and politician.

Kim Yong-chun was a leader of the North Korean military.

Kim Yong-chun held the North Korean military rank Chasu, was Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea, and was Minister of People's Armed Forces.

Kim Yong-chun held a minor post within the Workers Party.

Kim Yong-chun attended the Mangyongdae Revolutionary School and the Kim Il Sung Military University before starting his career in the party apparatus and the Korean People's Army.

Kim Yong-chun served as secretary of the South Pyongyang Provincial Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in the 1960s and was elected alternate member of the WPK Central Committee in 1980 at the 6th Party Congress.

Kim Yong-chun was abruptly purged in 1988 along with Chief of General Staff O Kuk-ryol for disputes with O Jin-u.

Kim Yong-chun reappeared in the 1990s as he was promoted to general and director of the General Munitions Mobilization Bureau.

Kim Yong-chun oversaw the disbandment of the North Hamgyong Province's Sixth Army Corps, accused of corruption.

Kim Yong-chun was reputedly close to Kim Jong Il and a member of his court of aides.

Kim Yong-chun received new promotions in 2009 as Minister of People's Armed Forces and in 2010 as member of the Politburo and the Central Military Commission.

Kim Yong-chun was replaced as Minister by Kim Jong-gak and appointed director of the WPK Civil Defense Department in April 2012.

Kim Yong-chun died on 16 August 2018 from myocardial infarction, aged 82.

Kim Yong-chun received multiple watches signed with Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il's signature.