He was born into a poor peasant family in Songchon-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province, on July 25, Juche 23 (1934).

Subject to a miserable life under the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists, he came to lead a worthy life only after President Kim Il Sung liberated the country.

He joined the Korean People's Army and bravely fought to defend the freedom and independence of the country during the Fatherland Liberation War. In the postwar period he took part in the struggle for national reunification and was arrested by the enemy. He remained true to his faith and constancy as a member of the Workers' Party of Korea without yielding to the enemy's savage torture and persistent efforts to force him to make an ideological conversion for 37 years behind bars.

After coming into the care of the DPRK he was respected as an indomitable pro-reunification patriotic fighter and awarded the title of Hero of the Republic and National Reunification Prize.

He devoted himself to the building of a thriving nation and national reunification true to the WPK's Songun revolutionary leadership till the last moments of his life, prompted by his single desire to repay the Party's great benevolence.

An obituary of Jang Pyong Rak was issued on Monday.