A process for the production of living radical polymers, characterized by polymerizing a vinyl monomer by the use of an organotellurium compound represented by the general formula (1) and an azo polymerization initiator; and living radical polymers produced by the process: (1) wherein R<1> is C1-8 alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R<2> and R<3> are each hydrogen orC1-8 alkyl; and R<4> is aryl, substituted aryl, an aromatic heterocyclic group, acyl, oxycarbonyl, or cyano.