He participated in the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle commanded by President Kim Il Sung and bravely fought for achieving the liberation of the country with arms in his hand in the darkest period of the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialists.

After the liberation of the country he grew up to be an able military officer under the care of Kim Il Sung. He worked hard to protect the Party and the leader with his life and develop the People's Army. He contributed to the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War by commanding servicepersons to wipe out enemies in the war period.

He devotedly worked to defend the security of the socialist country and gains of the revolution, holding responsible posts of the People's Army for years.

He was awarded the titles of Hero of the DPRK and Labor Hero, Order of Kim Il Sung and many other state commendations for his feats performed for the country and the revolution.

An obituary of Ri Jong San was jointly issued by the C.C., the WPK, the DPRK National Defence Commission and the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly on July 23.