Hyon was born on 13 August 1934 in
Yanji,
Jilin province in the Japanese puppet state of
Manchukuo. During the
Korean War, Hyon served as Kim Il Sung's bodyguard, a role which gave him "a place in North Korea's revolutionary history". He was director of the General Logistics Department of the
Korean People's Army from 1986 to 1995, when he was appointed deputy director of the General Political Department, becoming one of the most senior members of the North Korean military and political leadership. He was described as being in "close proximity" to Kim Jong Il, and as reporting directly to him. It had been suggested that following the
death of Kim Jong Il he may have taken part in a military council leading the country. He was transferred to director of the Standing Bureau of the
National Defence Commission. He was a member of the
Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea from 1991 until his death. He was vital in securing the succession campaign for Kim Jong Un, having entrusted by Kim Jong Il with the upbringing of his chosen successor, effectively serving as a "political" mentor of Kim Jong Un. This is attested by photographs and television footage which shown Hyon accompanying Kim Jong Un in the late 2000s. In April 2012, he received important promotions as Vice Marshal, member of the
Politburo and the
Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, first
vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces and director of the army's General Logistics Department. He was replaced as first vice-minister of defense by his predecessor as logistics director,
Jon Chang-bok, in May 2013. On April 15, 2016, Hyon Chol-hae became the fifth person to be promoted to the rank of
Marshal of the Korean People's Army, in one of the first two promotions of active duty officers after 21 years. ==Death and State Funeral of Hyon Chol-Hae==