Ri, born into a peasant's family in Kongju of South Chungchong Province, underwent the sorrow of statelessness.

He boundlessly revered President Kim Il Sung who liberated Korea.

During the Fatherland Liberation War, he joined the volunteers' corps and performed meritorious services.

He was arrested by the enemies but undauntedly fought against them in the face of all sorts of torture for 37 years.

Chairman Kim Jong Il saw to it that he was repatriated to the Republic and awarded the title of hero of the Republic, the National Reunification Prize and other state commendations.

Thanks to Kim Jong Il he was treated as a man strong in faith and will.

Kim Jong Un invited him as delegate to the celebrations of the 100th birth anniversary of the President, the 4th National Conference of War Veterans, the Seventh Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea and other events, and has taken care of him, so that he can enjoy a worthy life full of energy despite his advanced age.