Pak Myong-chol was born on 15 September 1941, in the northwestern Korean county of Uiju.
Consequently, the North Korean leader reportedly told the young Pak and his siblings that he, Kim Il Sung, would "look after them.
"[2] Pak has been involved in the administration of sport in various high posts in North Korea since at least 1975.
While the South Korean Ministry of Unification noted that his appearances were curtailed after April 2012 and some speculated Kim Jong Un was purging officials installed by his father, he was appointed to a number of less powerful positions in 2014,[5] including President of the DPRK Central Court, and as a member of the Supreme People's Assembly.
[6][7] Thanks in part to his wife, Pak had a close tie to the famous Japanese wrestler-politician and advocate of engagement with North Korea Antonio Inoki.