Born in Gijang-gun, Dongrae on 17 November 1888, Choe graduated from Pyongyang Missionary School (평양신학교) in 1926, and became a priest for Dongraeeup Church.

Starting from October 1938, Choe refused to participate in worship of the Japanese Emperor, which was required by law in the 1930s (see Christianity in Korea: Korean nationalism).

He then initiated the movement of antagonism towards Japanese Shinto Shrine worship by focusing on Namhae area.

As the movement of antagonism towards Japanese Shinto Shrine worship was prohibited by the Japanese colonial power during that time, Choe was eventually arrested and remanded in Pyongyang prison along with other anti-Japanese Shrine worship activists.

In 1991, the government of South Korea conferred the Order of Merit for National Foundation on Choe Sang-rim.