O family

The O (or Oh) family is a North Korean family whose members have been considered close to the ruling Kim family over several generations, and is regarded as being highly influential in the North Korean regime. The designation originates with O Jung-hup whose 1939 death while fighting for Kim Il Sung is deemed a great act of loyalty.^[1]

O
Chosŏn'gŭl	오
Hancha	吳
Revised Romanization	O
McCune–Reischauer	O
IPA	[o̞ː]

Their members include:

• O Jung-hup, revolutionary fighter associated with Kim Il Sung^[1]
• O Kuk-ryol, nephew of O Jung-hup, Vice-Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the DPRK
• O Se-won, son of O Kuk-ryol
• O Se-uk, son of O Kuk-ryol, and defector to the US^[2]

Family tree

v t e O family[3]
? O Jung-song O Jung-hup (1910–1939) O Kuk-ryol (1930–2023) O Hye-young (1956–) O Hyon-ok (1958–) O Young-ae (1960–) O Se-uk (1962–) O Hye-sun (1965–) O Young-ran O Se-won So Ho-won (in-law)

See also

• North Korea portal

• O (surname)

References

1. Choi, Song Min (19 August 2016). "Thae Yong Ho's defection in the context of the O family legacy". Daily NK. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
2. Sano, Yoel (Feb 18, 2005). "Military holds the key". Asia Times Online. Archived from the original on February 18, 2005. Retrieved 2016-08-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
3. 북한정보포털 | 인물 상세보기 | 오극렬 [North Korea Information Portal | View portrait details | O Kuk-ryol]. nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr (in Korean). Ministry of Unification. Archived from the original on 2022-08-10. Retrieved 1 February 2019.