He joined the Workers' Party of Korea in 1973 and was appointed as the head of the central organization's leadership.

In 1988, he was appointed Head of the Reconnaissance Bureau of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.

From December 1991 to November 1995, he served as the political director of the Ministry of Social Security.

In early July 1996, he was appointed commander of the 3rd Corps of the Korean People's Army.

In April 2002, he was promoted to the Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army.