Born in South Hwanghae Province on October 27, 1951,[1] he graduated from Kim Chaek University of Technology.
In September of the same year, he was appointed to the Cabinet Metal Machinery Industry Ministry.
In September 2003, he retired from the metal machinery industry when he became the Vice Premier of North Korea.
In December 2007, he served as Chairman of the North of the North-South Economic Cooperation Committee.
[3] He was a member of the funeral committees of Ri Jong-ok in September 1999, Yon Hyong-muk in October 2005, Hong Song-nam in April 2009,[4] Pak Song-chol in October 2008,[5] Hong Song-nam in April 2009, Jon Pyong-ho in July 2014, Ri Ul-sol in November 2015, Kim Yang-gon in December 2015, and Kang Sok-ju in May 2016.