Choi Yong-Keun - Saiyouken

North Korean politician. Born in Taecheon County, North Pyongan Province. After dropping out of Osan Middle School, he went to China, and graduated from the Yunnan Military Academy in 1925, becoming an instructor at the Huangpu Military Academy. In 1926, he entered northeastern China, where he led the anti-Japanese armed struggle and was active as a member of the highest leadership of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army. His pen name was Ishizumi.

After liberation in 1945, he became chairman of the Democratic Party of North Korea and commander of the Korean People's Army in 1948, playing an active role as the highest political and military leader in North Korea. In 1957, he became chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, becoming the legal head of state. After that, with the establishment of the Socialist Constitution in 1972, Kim Il-sung became president as the legal head of state, and he became vice president, but he died in September 1976. It is said that his death was artificial because he was an obstacle to Kim Jong-il becoming the successor.

[Momo Tamaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

北朝鮮の政治家。平安北道(へいあんほくどう／ピョンアンプクド)泰川郡生まれ。五山中学中退後、中国に赴き、1925年中国雲南軍官学校卒業、黄埔(こうほ)軍官学校教官となる。1926年から中国東北に入り、抗日武装闘争を指導、東北抗日連軍の最高指導部の一員として活躍。石泉と号す。

　1945年の解放後、北朝鮮民主党の委員長となり、1948年には朝鮮人民軍司令官となるなど、北朝鮮の政・軍最高指導者として活躍。1957年最高人民会議常任委員長に就任し、法的国家元首となる。その後、1972年の社会主義憲法制定により、金日成(きんにっせい／キムイルソン)が法的元首としての国家主席に就任したため副主席となったが、1976年9月死去。この死は、彼が金正日(きんしょうにち／キムジョンイル)後継者化の障害となったための人為的なものともいわれている。

［玉城　素］

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