He was arrested by enemies while waging a sacred struggle for the country's reunification. He remained true to his revolutionary principle by waging heroic struggle for several decades.

After his coming back to the care of the Republic leader Kim Jong Il made sure that he was awarded high state commendations including a watch bearing the august name of President Kim Il Sung, the title of DPRK Hero and National Reunification Prize.

Kim Jong Un invited Ri to participate in the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of the President, the events for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War and the 70th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. He showed warm loving care for Ri so that he might glorify his life as pro-reunification patriotic fighter, keeping himself in good health despite his advanced age.