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Choe Deok-sin

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Choe Deok-sin
Chosŏn'gŭl
최덕신
Hancha
Revised RomanizationChoe Deok-sin
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Tŏksin

Template:Contains Korean text Choe Deok-sin (September 17, 1914 – November 14, 1989) was a South Korean Foreign Minister who later defected with his wife, Ryu Mi Yong, to North Korea.[1]

In 1936, Choe graduated from Republic of China Military Academy, and served as a Republic of China Army officer.[2] When World War II ended, Choe was promoted to colonel.[2] After the war Choe returned to South Korea and entered Army Academy as a second lieutenant.[2] In 1949, Choe entered the United States Army Academy.[2] On 14 July 1950, Choe returned to South Korea.[2] Choe served as a commanding general of 11th division under the United States IX Corps during Korean War.[2][3] His division carried out the Sancheong-Hamyang and Geochang massacres. After the military coup, from 1961 to 1963, Choe served as a Foreign Minister and Ambassador to West Germany.[1]

In 1986, Choe defected with his wife Ryu Mi Yong to North Korea from their exile in the United States, where they had been known for their opposition to the policies of the South Korean military government.[4] Choe served as a chief of the central committee of the Chondogyo religious movement and vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland.[1][4]

Bibliography

  • Choe Deok-sin (1972). Panmunjom and After. New York: Vantage Press. OCLC 754916.
  • — (1987). The Nation and I: For the Reunification of the Motherland. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. OCLC 17933376.
  • — (1989). My Thirty Years in South Korea: Amid the Tragedy of National Division. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. OCLC 21567991.
  • — (1990). In the Embrace of My Motherland. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. OCLC 27117555.

See also

References

Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of South Korea
1961-1963
Succeeded by