🇰🇵Famous People from North Korea
A comprehensive directory of 49 historically significant figures from North Korea. North Korea's database of notable historical figures includes 49 individuals who have shaped the nation's political, cultural, and social development since 1948. The list is dominated by politicians, with 25 entries, due to the country's centralized political system. The Kim dynasty is prominently included, such as founding leader Kim Il-sung (1912), his son Kim Jong-il (1941), current leader Kim Jong-un (1984), and his sister Kim Yo-jong (1987). Other political figures include early communist leader Park Hon-young (1900) and diplomat Kim Yong-nam (1928). The database also lists 15 association football players, with Jong Tae-se (1984) being one of the most internationally recognized. It includes four diplomats, four journalists, and three writers. Notable figures also feature Kim Jong-suk (1917), the anti-Japanese revolutionary and mother of Kim Jong-il, and Ri Sol-ju (1989), the current First Lady. This collection offers insight into the individuals who have influenced North Korea over several generations.
Total Figures
49
Categories
15
Time Span
1055–2013
Top Field
politician· 23
Notable Figures Overview
aristocrat
Uicheon
1055–1101Korean Buddhist monk and philosopher (1051–1101)
chemist
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Choe Thae-bok
1930–2024North Korean politician
linguist
Kim Tu-bong
1886–1958Korean linguist who developed the Korean alphabet romanization system and served as the first chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly.
Distribution by Historical Era
MedievalMED(1)
ModernMOD(1)
ContemporaryCONT.(47)
Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Link
Uicheon
aristocrat
Korean Buddhist monk and philosopher (1051–1101)
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Choe Thae-bok
chemist
North Korean politician
Kim Tu-bong
linguist
Korean linguist who developed the Korean alphabet romanization system and served as the first chairman of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly.
Park Hon-young
journalist
Early communist leader and co-founder of North Korea who served as Deputy Premier until being executed in 1955 during political purges consolidating Kim Il-sung's power.
Choe Yong-gon
military officer
North Korean vice-marshal and politician (1900－1976)
Kim Kyong-hui
military officer
Powerful North Korean politician who is the daughter of founder Kim Il-sung and sister of former leader Kim Jong-il. She served as deputy director of the Workers' Party Organization and Guidance Department.
Kim Jong-il
film actor
Second Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011, known for his "Songun" military-first policy and for directing several films before assuming power.
Kim Il
partisan
North Korean politician (1910-1984)
Pak Song-chol
politician
North Korean independence fighter and politician who served as Premier from 1976 to 1977. He was a founding member of the Workers' Party and held various high-ranking positions.
Kim Yong-nam
diplomat
Long-serving diplomat who held the ceremonial position of President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly from 1998 to 2019, making him North Korea's nominal head of state.
Kim Jong-suk
diplomat
Anti-Japanese resistance fighter who became Kim Il-sung's first wife and mother of Kim Jong-il, establishing the maternal lineage of North Korea's ruling dynasty.
RC
Ri Chun-hee
actor
Veteran state television anchor famous for her dramatic delivery style when announcing major government news, including the deaths of North Korean leaders and nuclear weapons tests.
Hwang Jang-yop
politician
Former North Korean politician who served as Workers' Party secretary for ideology before defecting to South Korea in 1997. He was the highest-ranking North Korean official ever to defect.
Kim Chaek
politician
Revolutionary fighter and founding member of North Korea who served as Minister of Industry and Vice Premier. He was a close ally of Kim Il-sung during the anti-Japanese resistance.
Kim Yo-jong
diplomat
Sister of Kim Jong-un and influential Deputy Department Director of the Workers' Party's Publicity Department, serving as a key diplomatic envoy and trusted advisor to the Supreme Leader.
Kim Pyong-il
diplomat
North Korean diplomat and half-brother of former leader Kim Jong-il who served as ambassador to several countries. He was reportedly passed over for succession in favor of Kim Jong-un.
Hong Yong-jo
association football player
Forward who represented North Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and played professionally in Russia and other international leagues.
Ri Myong-guk
association football player
Goalkeeper who played for North Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has been the national team's primary keeper for over a decade.
Pak Nam-chol
association football player
North Korean midfielder who plays for Rimyongsu and the national team. He has been a regular squad member for international matches since the late 2000s.
Ri Kwang-chon
association football player
North Korean midfielder who plays for Pyongyang City and the national team. He has been a regular member of North Korea's international squad since the mid-2000s.
Ryang Yong-gi
association football player
North Korean striker who has played for various clubs in the DPR Korea League and represented the national team. He was born in 1982 and plays as a forward.
Han Kwang-song.
association football player
North Korean association football player who plays as a forward and has represented his country in international competitions.
Jong Tae-se
association football player
Striker who became internationally known for his passionate performances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where he scored North Korea's only goal of the tournament.
Ri Jun-il
association football player
North Korean goalkeeper who plays for April 25 and the national team. He has served as a regular keeper for North Korea in international competitions since 2010.
Ho Jong-suk
political activist
Independence activist, journalist, and early feminist who fought against Japanese colonial rule and later became a prominent women's rights advocate in North Korea.
Showing 1-25 of 49 figures
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current leader of North Korea?
Kim Jong-un is the current Supreme Leader of North Korea. He came to power in 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. He is the third in the Kim family dynasty that has led North Korea since it was established.
Who founded North Korea?
Kim Il-sung founded North Korea, leading the country from 1948 until his death in 1994. He created the political system and ideology that continue to influence the nation and is referred to as the "Eternal President."
Are there any famous North Korean soccer players?
Jong Tae-se is one of North Korea's most recognized football players, having competed for the national team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. North Korea has produced several notable football players, with 15 of the nation's 49 most famous individuals being soccer players.