From 2005 to 2011, Ri played for April 25 and helped them win the league three times in 2002, 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, he had a chance to join Chinese side Tianjin Teda but had problems obtaining a work permit and eventually joined Muangthong United in Thailand.

As with many other North Korean footballers, his whereabouts are unknown after his retirement.

Ri played for the North Korean national team between 2001 and 2012.

This biographical article related to North Korean association football is a stub.