In 1968, Paek became vice director of the International Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Paek also served on the Supreme People's Assembly from 1990 until the time of his death, having been elected to the 9th, 10th, and 11th sessions.

His third son Paek Ryong-Chon became the president of the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 2011.

North Korean state media attributed the death to an undefined illness although it was said that he suffered from kidney disease.

[3] Paek was ill for some time prior to his death and the role was filled by one of his deputies, most notably Kim Kye-gwan.