From 2005 to 2011, Ri played for April 25 and helped them win the league three times in 2002, 2010 and 2011. In 2012, he had a chance to join Chinese side Tianjin Teda but had problems obtaining a work permit and eventually joined Muangthong United in Thailand.[1] After his release from Muangthong, Ri returned to April 25 in 2014, but came back to Thailand a year later to join Pattaya United, retiring that same year. As with many other North Korean footballers, his whereabouts are unknown after his retirement.