Notable Koreans

The historic list of Koreans which contributed to the Korean peninsula.

Gojoseon/고조선

• Dan-gun Wang-Gum (Korean: 단국왕검), the believed ancestor of all Koreans, founder of Gojoseon (Korean: 고조선).

Silla/신라 (57 BC - 892 AD)

Goguryeo/고구려 (37 BC - 918 AD)

Baekje/백제 (18 BC - 936 AD)

Balhae/발해 (698 - 926)

Kings of Balhae (698 - 926)

• Go of Balhae (Korean: 고왕), founder & 1st king of Balhae
• Mu of Balhae (Korean: 무왕), 2nd king of Balhae
• Mun of Balhae (Korean: 문왕), 3rd king of Balhae
• Dae Won-ui (Korean: 대원의), 4th king of Balhae.
• Sung of Balhae (Korean: 성왕), 5th king of Balhae
• Gang of Balhae (Korean: 강왕), 6th king of Balhae
• Jung of Balhae (Korean: 정왕), 7th king of Balhae
• Hui of Balhae (Korean: 희왕), 8th king of Balhae
• Gan of Balhae (Korean: 간왕), 9th king of Balhae
• Sun of Balhae (Korean: 선왕), 10th king of Balhae
• Dae Yi-jin (Korean: 대이진), 11th, king of Balhae
• Dae Geun-hwang (Korean: 대건황), 12th king of Balhae
• Dae Hyun-suk (Korean: 대현석), 13th king of Balhae
• Dae We-hue (Korean: 대위해), 14th king of Balhae
• Dae Yin-sun (Korean: 대인선), 15th king of Balhae

Goryeo/고려 (918 - 1392)

Kings of Goryeo (918 - 1392)

• Taejo (Korean: 태조), 1st king of Goryeo
• Haejong (Korean: 혜종), 2nd king of Goryeo
• Jeongjong (Korean: 정종), 3rd king of Goryeo [*1]
• Gwangjong (Korean: 광종), 4th king of Goryeo
• Gyungjong (Korean: 경종), 5th king of Goryeo
• Sungjong (Korean: 성종), 6th king of Goryeo
• Mokjong (Korean: 목종), 7th king of Goryeo
• Hyunjong (Korean: 현종), 8th king of Goryeo
• Dukjong (Korean: 덕종), 9th king of Goryeo
• Jeongjong (Korean: 정종), 10th king of Goryeo [*1]
• Munjong (Korean: 문종), 11th king of Goryeo
• Soonjong (Korean: 순종), 12th king of Goryeo
• Sunjong (Korean: 선종), 13th king of Goryeo
• Hunjong (Korean: 헌종), 14th king of Goryeo
• Sukjong (Korean: 숙종), 15th king of Goryeo
• Yejong (Korean: 예종), 16th king of Goryeo
• Injong (Korean: 인종), 17th king of Goryeo
• Uijong (Korean: 의종), 18th king of Goryeo
• Myungjong (Korean: 명종), 19th king of Goryeo
• Shinjong (Korean: 신종), 20th king of Goryeo
• Huijong (Korean: 희종), 21th king of Goryeo
• Gangjong (Korean: 강종), 22nd king of Goryeo
• Gojong (Korean: 고종), 23rd king of Goryeo
• Wonjong (Korean: 원종), 24th king of Goryeo
• Chungnyeol (Korean: 충렬왕), 25th king of Goryeo
• Chungson (Korean: 충선왕), 26th king of Goryeo
• Chungsuk (Korean: 충숙왕), 27th king of Goryeo
• Chunghae (Korean: 충혜왕), 28th king of Goryeo
• Chungmok (Korean: 충목왕), 29th king of Goryeo
• Chungjeong (Korean: 충정왕), 30th king of Goryeo
• Gongmin (Korean: 공민왕), 31st king of Goryeo
• Wu (Korean:우왕), 32rd king of Goryeo
• Chang (Korean: 창왕), 33rd king of Goryeo
• Gongyang (Korean: 공양왕), 34th king of Goryeo

Joseon/조선 (1392 - 1910)

Kings of Joseon (1392 - 1910)

• Taejo (Korean: 태조), 1st king of Joseon
• Jeongjong (Korean: 정종), 2nd king of Joseon
• Taejeong (Korean: 태종), 3rd king of Joseon
• Saejong (Korean: 세종), 4th king of Joseon
• Moonjong (Korean: 문종), 5th king of Joseon
• Danjong (Korean: 단종), 6th king of Joseon
• Saejo (Korean: 세조), 7th king of Joseon
• Yaejong (Korean: 예종), 8th king of Joseon
• Seongjong (Korean: 성종), 9th king of Joseon
• Yeonsangun (Korean: 연산군), 10th king of Joseon
• Jungjong (Korean: 중종), 11th king of Joseon
• Injong (Korean: 인종), 12th king of Joseon
• Myeongjong (Korean: 명종), 14th king of Joseon
• Seonjo (Korean: 선조), 15th king of Joseon
• Gwanghaegun (Korean: 광해군), 16th king of Joseon
• Injo (Korean: 인조), 17th king of Joseon
• Hyojong (Korean: 효종), 18th king of Joseon
• Hyeonjong (Korean: 현종), 19th king of Joseon
• Sukjong (Korean: 속종), 20th king of Joseon
• Gyeongjong (Korean: 경종), 21th king of Joseon
• Yeongjo (Korean: 영조), 22th king of Joseon
• Jeongjo (Korean: 정조), 23th king of Joseon
• Sunjo (Korean: 순조), 24th king of Joseon
• Heonjong (Korean: 헌종), 25th king of Joseon
• Cheoljong (Korean: 철종), 26th king of Joseon
• Gojong (Korean: 고종), 27th king of Joseon
• Sunjong (Korean: 순종), 27th king of Joseon

Japanese Colonial Rule of Korea/일제강점기 (1910- 1945)

Emperors of the Korean Empire (1897 - 1910)

• Gojong (Korean: 고종), 1st Emperor of the Korean Empire
• Sunjong (Korean: 순종), 2nd Emperor of the Korean Empire

Heroic Corps/의열단 (1919 - <1926?)

• Kim Won-bong (Korean: 김원봉), Head of the Heroic Corps
• Kim Ik-sang (Korean: 김익상), failed bomber of the General-Governor Building (1921)
• Kim Sang-ok (Korean: 김상옥), bomber of the Jongno Police Station (1923)
• Kim Ji-sub (Korean: 김지섭), bomber (1926)
• Na Suk-ju (Korean: 나석주), bomber of the Oriental Development Company (1926)
• Park Jae-hyuk (Korean: 박재혁), bomber of the Busan Post office (1920)
• Lee Yuk-sa (Korean: 이육사)
• Choi Su-bong (Korean: 최수봉), bomber of the Milryang Post office (192?)

The Independence Association/독립협회 (1896 - 1898)

• Seo Jae-pil (Korean: 서재필), 1st president of the independence association
• Lee Wan-yong (Korean: 이완용), 2nd president of the independence association
• Yun Chi-ho (Korean: 윤치호), 3rd president of the independence association
• Lee Sang-jae (Korean: 이상재), 3rd vice president of the independence association
• Son Byung-hee (Korean: 손병희)
• Lee Syung-man (Korean: 이승만)
• Go Young-gyeun (Korean: 고영근)

Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea/대한민국 임시 정부 (1919 - 1948)

Presidents of the PGRK (1919 - 1925)

• Lee Syng-man (Korean: 이승만), 1st President of the PGRK
• Park Eun-shik (Korean: 박은식), 2nd President of the PGRK

PM's of the PGRK (1919 - 1925)

• Lee Syng-man (Korean: 이승만), 1st PM of the PGRK
• Lee Dong-neong (Korean: 이동녕) 2nd & 7th PM of the PGRK
• Lee Dong-hwi (Korean: 이동휘)3rd & 4th PM of the PGRK
• Shin Gyu-shik (Korean: 신규식) 5th PM of the PGRK
• Noh Baek-lin (Korean: 노백린) 6th PM of the PGRK

State-Affairs Leaders of the PGRK (1925 - 1927)

• Lee Sang-ryong (Korean: 이상룡), 1st state-affairs leader of the PGRK
• Yang Gi-tak (Korean: 양기탁), 2nd & 9th state-affairs leader of the PGRK
• Lee Dong-neong (Korean: 이동녕), 3rd, 5th& 10th state-affairs leader of the PGRK
• Ahn Chang-ho (Korean: 안창호), 4th state-affairs leader of the PGRK
• Hong Jin (Korean: 홍진), 6th state-affairs leader of the PGRK
• Kim Gu (Korean: 김구), 7th & 8th state-affairs leader of the PGRK

Chiefs of the PGRK (1927 - 1948)

• Lee Sang-ryong (Korean: 이상룡), 1st chief of the PGRK
• Yang Gi-tak (Korean: 양기탁), 2nd & 9th chief of the PGRK
• Lee Dong-neong (Korean: 이동녕), 3rd & 10th chief of the PGRK
• Hong Jin (Korean: 홍진), 6th chief of the PGRK
• Kim Gu (Korean: 김구), 7th & 8th chief of the PGRK
• Lee Syung-man (Korean: 이승만), 9th & 10th chief of the PGRK

Sub-Chiefs of the PGRK (1940 - 1948)

• Kim Gyu-shik (Korean: 김규식), 1st & 2nd sub-chief of the PGRK
• Kim Gu (Korean: 김구), 3rd & 4th sub-chief of the PGRK

The 33 National Representatives/민족대표 33인

• Son Byung-hee (Korean: 손병희), head of the Cheondo religion (Korean: 천도교)
• Lee Syeung-hoon (Korean: 이승훈), head of the Cheondo religion & educationalist
• Han Yong-oon (Korean: 한용운), representative of Buddhism
• Kwon Dong-jin (Korean: 권동진), vice president of the Shinganhoe (Korean: 신간회)
• Kwon Byung-duk (Korean: 권병덕), the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection & Seondosa (Korean: 선도사) of the Cheondo religion
• Gil Seon-ju (Korean: 길선주), Korea's first Christian minister
• Kim Byung-jo (Korean: 김병조), executive director of the PGRK in Shanghai
• Kim Wan-gyu (Korean: 김완규), Cheondo religion believer & Buddhist
• Kim Chang-jun (Korean: 김창준), Christian representative
• Na Yong-hwan (Korean: 나용환), missionary of the Cheondo religion
• Na In-hyub (Korean: 나인협), teacher of the Cheondo religion
• Baek Dong-wan (Korean: 백동완), Christianic executive director of the Shinganhoe
• Baek Yong-sung (Korean: 백용성), Buddhist representative
• Park Jun-syung (Korean: 박준승), Cheondo religion believer
• Shin Suk-gu (Korean: 신석구), Christian representative
• Shin Hong-shik (Korean: 신홍식), Christian representative
• Yang Jun-baek (Korean: 양전백), Christian priest
• Yang Han-mook (Korean: 양한묵), Donghak (Korean: 동학) believer
• Oh Sae-chang (Korean: 오세창), believer of the Cheondo religion
• Oh Hwa-young (Korean: 오화영), priest of the Protestant's church
• Yu Yeo-dae (Korean: 유여대), Rumorist for announcing the Declaration of Independence
• Lee Myung-ryong (Korean: 이명룡), Christian representative
• Lee Jong-il (Korean: 이종일), representative of the Cheondo religion
• Lee Jong-hun (Korean: 이종훈), representative of the Cheondo religion
• Lee Pil-ju (Korean: 이필주), 1st coach of YMCA & priest
• Lim Yae-hwan (Korean: 임예환), participant of the Korean Independence Movement & the Donghak Revolution
• Choi Sung-mo (Korean: 최성모), priest of the Protestants's church
• Hong Gi-jo (Korean: 홍기조), Cheondo religion believer
• Hong Byung-gi (Korean: 홍병기), representative of the Cheondo religion
• Lee Gab-sung (Korean: 이갑성), Christian believer. Last lived representative (d. 2008)

The Republic of Korea/대한민국 (1948 - Present)

Presidents of the Republic of Korea (1948 - Present)

• Lee Syng-man (Korean: 이승만), 1st, 2nd, 3rd President of the Republic of Korea
• Yun Bo-sun (Korean: 윤보선), 4th President of the Republic of Korea
• Heo Jeong (Korean: 허정), Acting President of the Republic of Korea
• Park Jung-hee (Korean: 박정희), 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th President of the Republic of Korea
• Choi Gyu-ha (Korean: 최규하), 10th President of the Republic of Korea
• Jun Doo-hwan (Korean: 전두환), 11th, 12th President of the Republic of Korea
• Noh Tae-woo (Korean: 노태우), 13th President of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Yeong-sam (Korean: 김영삼), 14th President of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Dae-Jung (Korean: 김대중), 15th President of the Republic of Korea
• Noh Moo-hyun (Korean: 노무현), 16th President of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Myung-bak (Korean: 이명박), 17th President of the Republic of Korea
• Park Gyun-hae (Korean: 박근혜), 18th President of the Republic of Korea (Present)

Vice Presidents of the Republic of Korea (1948 - 1960)

• Lee Shi-yeong (Korean: 이시영), 1st Vice President of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Sung-soo (Korean: 김성수), 2nd Vice President of the Republic of Korea
• Ham Tae-yeong (Korean: 함태영), 3rd Vice President of the Republic of Korea
• Jang Myun (Korean: 장면), 4th Vice President of the Republic of Korea

PMs of the Republic of Korea (1948 - Present)

• Lee Beom-seok (Korean: 이범석)1st PM of the Public of Korea
• Jang Myun (Korean: 장면), 2nd & 7th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jang Taek-sang (Korean: 3th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Baek Du-jin (Korean: 백두진), 4th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Byeon Yeong-tae (Korean: 변영태), 5th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Heo Jeong (Korean: 허정), 6th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Choi Du-sun (Korean: 최두선), 8th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jeong Il-kwon (Korean: 정일권), 9th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Baek Du-jin (Korean: 백두진), 10th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Choi Kyu-ha (Korean: 최규하), 11th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Shin Hyun-hwak (Korean: 신현확), 12th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Nam Duk-woo (Korean: 남덕우), 13th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Yoo Chang-soon (Korean: 유창순), 14th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Sang-hyeob (Korean: 김상협), 15th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jin Ui-jong (Korean: 진의종), 16th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Noh Shin-yeong (Korean: 노신영), 17th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Jung-ryeol (Korean: 김정렬),18th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Hyun-Jae (Korean: 이현재), 19th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kang Yeong-hun (Korean: 강영헌), 20th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Noh Jae-bong (Korean: 노재봉), 21th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jeong Won-shik (Korean: 정원식), 22th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Hyeon Seung-jong (Korean: 현성종), 23th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Hwang In-seong (Korean: 황인성), 24th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Yeong-deok (Korean: 이영덕) 25th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Hong-gu (Korean: 이홍구) 26th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Su-sung (Korean: 이수성) 27th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Go Geon (Korean: 고건) 28th & 33rd PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Jong-pil (Korean: 김종필) 29th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Park Tae-jun (Korean: 박태준) 30th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Han-dong (Korean: 이한동) 31st PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Seok-soo (Korean: 김석수) 32nd PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Hae-chan (Korean: 이해찬) 34th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Han Myeong-sook (Korean: 한명숙) 35th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Han Deok-soo (Korean: 한덕수) 36th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Han Seung-soo (Korean: 한성수) 37th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jung Un-chan (Korean: 정은찬) 38th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Kim Hwang-shik (Korean: 김황식) 39th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Jung Hong-won (Korean: 정홍원) 40th PM of the Republic of Korea
• Lee Wan-goo (Korean: 이완구) 41th PM of the Republic of Korea (Present)

Democratic People's Republic of Korea/조선민주주의인민공화국 (1948 - Present)

Supreme Leaders of the DPRK (1948 - Present)

• Kim Du-bong (Korean: 김두봉), 1st Supreme Leader of the DPRK
• Choi Yong-geun (Korean: 최용건), 2nd Supreme Leader of the DPRK
• Kim Il-sung (Korean: 김일성), 3rd Supreme Leader of the DPRK
• Kim Jung-Il (Korean: 김정일), 4th Supreme Leader of the DPRK
• Kim Jung-un (Korean: 김정은), 5th Supreme Leader of the DPRK

Chiefs of the Workers' Party of Korea (1949 - Present)

• Kim Il-sung (Korean: 김일성), 1st Chief of the Workers' Party of Korea
• Kim Jung-Il (Korean: 김정일), 2nd Chief of the Workers' Party of Korea
• Kim Jung-un (Korean: 김정은), 3rd Chief of the Workers' Party of Korea

Notes:

1. Jeongjong (3rd/10th): Different people; 3rd: 定宗, 10th: 靖宗
2. PGRK = Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
3. PM = Prime Minister
4. DPRK = Democratic People's Republic of Korea