At the time, the Korean calendar was based on the moon's cycle, each month having either 27 or 28 days. In the 1960s, Korea switched to the western Gregorian calendar; one based on the sun's cycle, with each month having 30 to 31 days. According to the western calendar, Choi Hong Hi's birthday is on December 22. Choi Hong Hi chose to celebrate his birthday on November 9.
Choi Hong Hi died at 20.35 hours (Korean Time) on June 15, 2002, in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The funeral was held on June 17 in Pyongyang.