Born in Heilongjiang Province, China, in September 1934.

His father, a slash-and-burn farmer from Kangwon Province, moved to Heilongjiang during the Japanese colonial period, and he experienced a difficult childhood there.

Moved to Jilin Province in 1946 and began studying art while attending middle school.

Entered the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in northeastern China in 1952, graduated in oil painting and stayed on as a teacher.

Moved to North Korea in 1959 in accordance with his father's last wishes.

Worked as a staff artist at the State Art Publishing House until 1963, then as a practising artist in the North Pyongan branch of the Korean Artists' Union.

During this period, participated in works for the Korean Revolution Museum, the Central History Museum and the Sinchon Museum, as well as murals for the Pyongyang Metro.

Sent to Iraq as a member of a Korean artists' delegation from 1978 to 1980, creating large panoramic paintings.