Famous Korean people

Note: In Korean names, the family name is placed first (for example, the family name of "Kim Daejung" is "Kim"), unless the person has decided to Westernize his/her name.

Artists

• Paik Nam-june

Businesspeople

• Chung Juyung
• Chung Mong-hun
• Kim Woojung
• Kim Yongsan
• Lee Byungchul

Celebrities

• Choi Min-sik
• Ha Jiwon
• Han Suk-kyu
• Kim Yoon-jin
• Lee Sabi
• Song Kang-ho

Film-makers

• Im Kwontaek
• Lee Changdong

Historical Figures

• Gang Hong-rip, commander-in-chief
• Gwanghaegun, the 15th king of the Joseon Dynasty
• Hong Bok-won, officer of the Mongol Empire
• King Sejong the Great, inventor of Han-geul
• Qi Empress, one of empresses of Toghun Temür and mother of Biligtü Khan
• Wang Go (Öljeitü), King of Shen
• Yi Jachun, father of King Taejo.
• Yi Sun-sin, admiral

Politicians

• Chang Myon (장면) (Prime Minister, 1960-1961)
• Choi Kyuha (최규하) (President, 1979 - 1980)
• Chun Doohwan (전두환) (President, 1980-1988)
• Chung Mong-jun (정멍준)
• Kim Dae-jung (김대중) (President, 1998-2003)
• Kim Il-sung (김일성) (North Korean Communist dictator, 1948-1993)
• Kim Jong-il (김정일) (North Korean Communist dictator, 1993-present)
• Kim Jongpil (김정필)
• Kim Young-sam (김영삼) (President, 1993-1998)
• Lee Hoichang (이회창)
• Lee Jong-Wook (이종욱), Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO)
• Park Chunghee (박정희) (Military ruler, 1961-1963; President, 1963-1979)
• Rhee Syngman (이승만) (President, 1948-1960)
• Roh Moo-hyun (노무현) (President, 2003-present)
• Roh Tae-woo (노태우) (President, 1988-1993)
• Yoon Boseon (윤보선) (President, 1960-1962)

See also: Presidents of South Korea

Religious Leaders

• David Yonggi Cho - Founder/Pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church - the world's largest church.
• Ham Seok-heon - Quaker leader and human rights activist.
• Moon Sun-Myung - Founder of the Unification Church

Scholars

• Ju Si-gyeong, linguist

Scientists and engineers

• Lee Huiso aka Benjamin Lee

Sportmen and -women

• Ahn Jung-Hwan (Football hero)
• Cha Bumkeun (Bundesliga Football Player)
• Choi Hee-seop (MLB Player)
• Kim Byunghyun (MLB Player)
• Kim Mihyun (LPGA Player)
• Lee Cheonsu (Football Player in Spanish league)
• Nam Sung-yong (Marathon runner)
• Park Chan Ho (MLB Player)
• Park Jiseong (Football Player in Netherlands league)
• Pak Seri (LPGA Player)
• Park Chanho (MLB Player)
• Seol Ki-hyun (Football Player in Belgian league)
• Sohn Kee-chung (Olympic Marathon gold medallist)

See also: Korean-American, List of people by nationality

Referenced By