Born into an ordinary official's family, Choe began learning piano at the Kyongsang Kindergarten when he was four years old.

He won the first prize in the 20th International Juvenile Chopin Piano Contest at the age of seven and took the special place in the 2nd Moscow Krainev International Piano Concours held last year with promising juvenile pianists from more than 20 countries attended.

When interviewed by KCNA, Kim Jae Sil, a teacher of the school, said that it would have been unthinkable without the loving care of the Workers' Party of Korea for younger generations and the blessed socialist education system to produce music prodigies, adding that she would do her best to bring up more musical talents.

Choe said that he would double his efforts to prove successful at an international performance slated for April.