He is a vice-chief of the General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army and a member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.

[citation needed] His father, O Paek-ryong, was the former director of the General Escort Bureau.

His brother, O Chol-san,[1] is a political member of the Naval Command of the Korean People's Army.

[2] O graduated from Red Flag Mangyongdae Revolutionary School,[3] joined the Korean People's Army Air and Anti-Air Force and served as an air force pilot.

[2] After being promoted to Lieutenant General of the Korean People's Army in April 1992, he was promoted to the Colonel General of the Korean People's Army in October 1995 and appointed to the Air Force Commander.