Born in 1970, O Yeong-jin studied architecture (BE) at Myongji University and has worked at Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO). A member of the underground comics group Comix, cartoon experiment Spring, and indie comic magazine Hysteria, he was dispatched to North Korea in 2000 as a light water reactor engineer by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). Based on his rare, 548-day experience in Sinpo, North Korea, and subtitled “A New Travelogue to North Korea,” comic books The Southern Guest and Unbolting the Gate humorously yet poignantly depict the abiding similarities and bridgeable differences between the Northerners and Southerners. Reflecting the changes in North Korea since the historic North-South summit talk held on June 15, 2000, these volumes are notable for their frankness and lack of prejudice. O also published “A New Travelogue to North Korea,” a sequel, on the online weekly Oh My News in 2005-2006. Recipient of the Bronze Award at the 1st New Bud Prize hosted by Shinhan Bank in 1993 and the Special Award at the Dong-A LG International Festival of Comics, Cartoon, Character Design, and Animation (DIFECA) in 1999, he was a special guest at the 1st Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) held in 1995. His other works include the cartoon collection The Terrorist.