Choe Deok-sin

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Choe Deok-sin (Korean: 최덕신; September 17, 1914 – November 14, 1989) was a South Korean Foreign Minister who later defected with his wife, Ryu Mi-yong, to North Korea. Choe was born in Uiju County, North Pyongan Province. In 1936, he graduated from the Republic of China Military Academy, and served as a Republic of China Army officer. By the end of World War II, Choe had been promoted to colonel. After the war Choe returned to South Korea and entered the national army academy as a second lieutenant. In 1949, Choe entered the United States Military Academy. On July 14, 1950, Choe returned to South Korea. Choe served as a commanding general of the South Korean 11th Division under the United States IX Corps during the Korean War. 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. He stepped down from government office after being dismissed from his ambassadorship in 1967. He immigrated with his wife Ryu Mi-yong to the United States in 1976, where they had been known for their opposition to the policies of the South Korean military government. In 1986, Choe and his wife relocated to North Korea from the United States. Choe served as a chief of the central committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party and vice-chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. Three years later, in 1989, Choe died at the age of 75. Choe's son, Choe In-guk, reportedly defected to North Korea in July 2019.