Cultural Production in
Present Day
North Korea
North Korea
North Korea ranks 74th in number of biographies on Pantheon, behind Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Armenia. Memorable people born in present day North Korea include Taejo of Joseon, Taejong of Joseon, and Kim Jong Un. Memorable people who died in North Korea include Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Taejo of Goryeo. North Korea has been the birth place of many politicians, and soccer players and the death place of many politicians, and military personnels. The top cities in North Korea by number of biographies are Pyongyang, Kaesong, North Korea, Nampo, and Goguryeo.
People
Between 38 BC and 2013, present day North Korea was the birth place of 178 globally memorable people, including Taejo of Joseon, Taejong of Joseon, and Kim Jong Un. Additionaly, 65 globally memorable people have passed away in present day North Korea including Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Taejo of Goryeo.
People Born in Present Day North Korea
Go to all RankingsTaejo of Joseon
POLITICIAN
1335 - 1408
HPI: 78.12
Rank: 1
Taejong of Joseon
POLITICIAN
1367 - 1422
HPI: 77.28
Rank: 2
Kim Jong Un
POLITICIAN
1983 - Present
HPI: 77.19
Rank: 3
Taejo of Goryeo
POLITICIAN
877 - 943
HPI: 75.62
Rank: 4
Kim Jong-suk
POLITICIAN
1919 - 1949
HPI: 74.46
Rank: 5
Gwangjong of Goryeo
POLITICIAN
925 - 975
HPI: 74.16
Rank: 6
Jeongjong of Joseon
POLITICIAN
1357 - 1419
HPI: 73.36
Rank: 7
Kim Hyong-jik
SOCIAL ACTIVIST
1894 - 1926
HPI: 73.20
Rank: 8
Pak Sung-hyok
SOCCER PLAYER
1990 - Present
HPI: 73.04
Rank: 9
Ri Kwang-hyok
SOCCER PLAYER
1987 - Present
HPI: 73.04
Rank: 10
Kim Kyong-il
SOCCER PLAYER
1988 - Present
HPI: 73.04
Rank: 11
Kim Myong-gil
SOCCER PLAYER
1984 - Present
HPI: 73.01
Rank: 12
Newly Added People Born in Present Day North Korea
Go to all RankingsPak Thae-song
POLITICIAN
1955 - Present
HPI: 61.44
Rank: 94
Kang Chol-hwan
WRITER
1968 - Present
HPI: 49.01
Rank: 132
Hyon Song-wol
SINGER
HPI: 48.37
Rank: 136
Lee Hyeon-seo
WRITER
HPI: 44.50
Rank: 148
Ri Hak-son
WRESTLER
1969 - Present
HPI: 42.61
Rank: 156
Hwang Ok-sil
SKATER
1972 - Present
HPI: 41.32
Rank: 160
Ri Song-hui
ATHLETE
1978 - Present
HPI: 38.46
Rank: 166
Pae Gil-su
GYMNAST
1972 - Present
HPI: 38.23
Rank: 168
O Jong-ae
ATHLETE
1984 - Present
HPI: 36.65
Rank: 170
Kim Song-guk
BOXER
1984 - Present
HPI: 35.42
Rank: 172
Yang Kyong-il
WRESTLER
1989 - Present
HPI: 32.97
Rank: 173
Jang Kuk-chol
SOCCER PLAYER
1994 - Present
HPI: 32.78
Rank: 174
People Deceased in Present Day North Korea
Go to all RankingsKim Il-sung
POLITICIAN
1912 - 1994
HPI: 89.10
Rank: 1
Kim Jong-il
POLITICIAN
1941 - 2011
HPI: 87.59
Rank: 2
Taejo of Goryeo
POLITICIAN
877 - 943
HPI: 75.62
Rank: 3
Kim Jong-suk
POLITICIAN
1919 - 1949
HPI: 74.46
Rank: 4
Gwangjong of Goryeo
POLITICIAN
925 - 975
HPI: 74.16
Rank: 5
Dongmyeong of Goguryeo
POLITICIAN
58 BC - 19 BC
HPI: 71.66
Rank: 6
Jang Song-thaek
POLITICIAN
1946 - 2013
HPI: 71.59
Rank: 7
Yun Chi-ho
SOCIAL ACTIVIST
1864 - 1945
HPI: 71.56
Rank: 8
Kim Yong-nam
POLITICIAN
1928 - 2025
HPI: 71.25
Rank: 9
Pak Hon-yong
POLITICIAN
1900 - 1955
HPI: 71.12
Rank: 10
Choe Yong-gon
POLITICIAN
1900 - 1976
HPI: 70.53
Rank: 11
Jeongjong, 3rd monarch of Goryeo
POLITICIAN
923 - 949
HPI: 70.46
Rank: 12
Occupations
Most individuals born in present day North Korea were politicians (85), soccer players (36), athletes (11), writers (7), and social activists (6), while most who died were politicians (53), military personnels (4), social activists (3), writers (2), and martial arts (1).
Occupational Trends
Over the past 100 years, soccer players have been the top profession of globally memorable people born in present day North Korea, including Pak Sung-hyok, Ri Kwang-hyok, and Kim Kyong-il. Whereas, throughout history, politicians have been the profession with the most memorable people born in present day North Korea, including Taejo of Joseon, Taejong of Joseon, and Kim Jong Un.
Places
Overlapping Lives
Below is a visual represetation of the lifespans of the top 25 globally memorable people born in present day North Korea since 1700.

































