Chae was an officer of the KPA Navy who performed feats in the period of the Fatherland Liberation War (1950-1953).

Before the liberation of the country from the Japanese imperialists' colonial rule, Chae had suffered all sorts of hard toil at a shipping company run by them.

After the country's liberation, he joined the KPA in Juche 36 (1947). When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, he ensured transport of mines in a responsible manner despite of heavy shelling and bombing by the enemy warships and planes.

He destroyed more than 10 enemy warships through successful mine-laying operations, thus contributing to foiling the enemies' maritime operations.

During the days of the KPA's temporary strategic retreat, he fought fierce battles to kill or injure hundreds of enemies while going up toward the north after disposing of the combat technical equipment.

He died of heavy injuries, after telling his comrades-in-arms to go to the KPA Supreme Command.

The DPRK government awarded him the title of Hero of the Republic in April 1951.