O Kuk-ryol
North Korean politician and general (1930–2023) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In this Korean name, the family name is O.
O Kuk-ryol (Korean: 오극렬; Hancha: 呉克烈, 7 January 1930[1] – 9 February 2023) was a North Korean military general. He was Chief of General Staff of the Korean People's Army from 1979 to 1988. He also served as vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, head of the Operations Department from April 2009 to June 2016.[2] Foreign observers referred to O as the second most powerful man in North Korea.[3]
Quick Facts Vice-Chairman of the National Defence Commission, Leader ...
O Kuk-ryol | |
---|---|
오극렬 | |
Vice-Chairman of the National Defence Commission | |
In office April 2009 – 30 June 2016 | |
Leader | |
Succeeded by | Commission abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | (1930-01-07)7 January 1930[1] Onjō, Kankyōhoku-dō, Korea, Empire of Japan |
Died | 9 February 2023(2023-02-09) (aged 93) |
Nationality | North Korean |
Military service | |
Allegiance | North Korea |
Branch/service | Korean People's Army |
Rank | General |
Korean name | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 오극렬 |
Hancha | 呉克烈 |
Revised Romanization | O Geuk-ryeol |
McCune–Reischauer | O Kŭngnyŏl |
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A childhood friend of Kim Jong Il, O was one of Kim's allies elected to the Politburo in 1980. He later led North Korean programs for cyberwarfare, counterfeiting, and nuclear weapons.