He was promoted to general in April 2015, and shortly thereafter he took over the post of minister of the People's Armed Forces after his predecessor, Hyon Yong-chol, was executed for insubordination.
Dia dipromosikan menjadi Jenderal pada April 2015, dan tak lama setelahnya ia mengambil alih kursi Menteri Tentara Rakyat Korea setelah pendahulunya, Hyon Yong-chol, dieksekusi karena melakukan pembangkangan.