[1] Choe was born in Uiju County, North Pyongan Province.

[2] By the end of World War II, Choe had been promoted to colonel.

[2] After the war Choe returned to South Korea and entered the national army academy as a second lieutenant.

After the military coup, from 1961 to 1963, Choe served as a Foreign Minister and Ambassador to West Germany.

[1] In 1986, Choe relocated with his wife Ryu Mi-yong to North Korea from their exile in the United States, where they had been known for their opposition to the policies of the South Korean military government.