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Famous People From North Korea

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Updated June 8, 2017 18.5k views 258 items

List of famous people from North Korea, including photos when available. The people below are listed by their popularity, so the most recognizable names are at the top of the list. Some of the people below are celebrities born in North Korea, while others are simply notable locals. If you're from North Korea you might already know that these prominent figures are also from your hometown, but some of the names below may really surprise you. This list includes people who were born and raised in North Korea, as well as those who were born there but moved away at a young age.

List features Ok Jeon, Jo Kwang and more people.

If you want to answer the questions, "Which famous people are from North Korea?" or "Which celebrities were born in North Korea?" then this list is a great resource for you.
Age 37 from Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea
Kim Jong-chul (born 25 September 1981), sometimes spelled Kim Jong Chol, is a son of former North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il. His younger brother is Kim Jong-un, now the leader of North ...more
Seung Sahn Dec. at 77 (1927-2004) from Sunchon, North Korea
Seungsahn Haengwon (Korean: 숭산행원대선사; Hanja: 崇山行願大禪師; RR: Sungsan Haeng'weon Daeseonsa, August 1, 1927 – November 30, 2004), born Duk-In Lee, was a Korean Seon master of the Jogye Order and ...more
Dec. at 69 (1903-1972) from North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Younghill Kang (June 5, 1898 — December 2, 1972, Korean name 강용흘) was an important early Asian American writer. He is best known for his 1931 novel The Grass Roof (the first Korean American ...more
Dec. at 80 (1926-2006) from Chongjin, North Korea
Shin Sang-ok (October 11, 1926 – April 11, 2006) was a South Korean film producer and director with more than 100 producer and 70 director credits to his name. His best-known films were made in ...more
Age 83 from North Korea, Hoeryong
Lee Soon-jae (born November 16, 1934)is a South Korean actor. He has had a prolific career on the small and big screen spanning over six decades, and was given a second-class Eungwan Order of ...more
Om Yun-Chol Age 27 from North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Om Yun-chol is a weightlifter representing North Korea. He is 152 cm / 5'0" and weighs 56 kg /123 lbs. He won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics at the men's 56 kg event. He became ...more
Kim Kum-Sok Age 31 from South Pyongan, North Korea
Kim Kum-Sok is a North Korean weightlifter. He is competing for North Korea at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Dec. at 88 (1914-2002) from Sinuiju, Pyongan, North Korea
Sohn Kee-chung (Korean: 손기정; Korean pronunciation: [son.kidʑʌŋ]; August 29, 1912 – November 15, 2002) was a Korean athlete and long-distance runner. He became the first Korean to win a medal at ...more
Choe Yong-rim Age 88 from Ryanggang Province, North Korea
Choe Yong-rim (Korean: 최영림, born 20 November 1930) is a North Korean politician. He was the Premier of North Korea from June 2010 to April 2013 and Workers' Party of Korea central committee ...more
Age 60 from North Korea
Dragon Lee (sometimes credited as "Bruce Lei") (born August 12, 1958) is the stage name of an actor and practitioner of Taekwondo and Hapkido. He made a name for himself as a martial ...more
Gwang-hun Kim Age 56 from North Korea
Gwang-hun Kim is a film director.
Kwon Song-Hwa Age 27 from North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Kim Su-Gyong Age 24 from South Pyongan, North Korea
Kim Su-Gyong is a women's soccer player.
Choi In-Gyu Dec. at 39 (1911-1950) from Nyongbyon County, North Korea
Choi In-Gyu was a film director, film editor and film producer.
Yu Jong Im Age 25 from Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea
Yu Jong Im is a women's soccer player.
Yun Hyon Hui Age 26 from South Pyongan, North Korea
Yun Hyon Hui is a women's soccer player.
Jon Myong-Hwa Age 25 from Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea
Jon Myong-Hwa is a women's soccer player.
O Chang-Ran Age 26 from North Pyongan, North Korea
O Chang-Ran is a women's soccer player.
Kim Mi-Gyong Age 27 from South Hwanghae Province, North Korea
Kim Mi-gyong is a North Korean long-distance runner. She competed in the marathon at the 2012 Summer Olympics, placing 74th with a time of 2:38:33. At the age of fifteen she represented her ...more
O Hui-Sun Age 25 from South Hwanghae Province, North Korea
O Hui-Sun is a women's soccer player.
Pong Son-Hwa Age 26 from Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea
Pong Son-Hwa is a women's soccer player.
Kim Nam-Hui Age 24 from North Hamgyong Province, North Korea
Kim Nam-Hui is a women's soccer player.
Yang Gi-tak Dec. at 67 (1871-1938) from Kangso-guyok, North Korea
Yang Gi-tak (April 2, 1871 – April 20, 1938) was one of the leaders of Korean independence movement who served as the 9th president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea from ...more
Kim Myong-Hyok Age 28 from North Pyongan, North Korea
Kim Myong-hyok is a North Korean weightlifter. He is competing for North Korea at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Phyo Yong-myong Age 29 from Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea
Phyo Yong-myong (born November 26, 1989 in Pyongyang) is a North Korean figure skater who has competed internationally as both a singles skater, pairs skater and ice dancer. She currently is ...more