Choe was a relatively low-profile politician working in the cultural field and the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League until about 2013 or 2014. With his ascension to the post of senior deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD) in 2013, he became seen as a potential successor to propaganda chief Kim Ki-nam. After becoming the chairman of the State Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission in 2017, Choe was seen as rising to the power elite of the country.
Choe received his first significant political post in 1985 as a manager of the Sea of Blood Opera Troupe. In 1987 he became the head of the Pyongyang Art Troupe. In the 1990s he was a vice chairman of Pomminyon[ko] (Pan National Alliance for Korea's Unification).[2]
In April 2013 Choe became the senior deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD). In December 2015, Choe was the leader of the Merited State Choir and the Moranbong Band on a tour to China when the planned concerts were abruptly called off.[2]
Until around 2013 and 2014, Choe was a relatively routine member of Kim Jong Un's on-the-spot guidance tours.[2] With his promotion to PAD, however, he was seen as a potential successor to propaganda chief Kim Ki-nam. According to Adam Cathcart of Sino-NK, "Choe Hwi has a lot to say about statues, monuments, and inscriptions" and of propaganda overall.[3]
Choe belonged to the delegation that traveled to South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics to meet President Moon Jae-in.[2] A special permit by the United Nations Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee had to be secured for Choe's travel, because the Security Council had imposed an international travel ban and an asset freeze on him with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2356[ca] of 2017.[7] Choe was the only person from the 23-strong North Korean delegation who was under Security Council sanctions.[8][9] Choe is also under US sanctions.[10]
