Aegukka

Not to be confused with Aegukga.
For the Korean Empire's anthem, see Korean Empire Aegukga.
Aegukka
English: The Patriotic Song
애국가

North Korean emblem

National anthem of
 Democratic People's Republic of Korea


Also known as Ach'imŭn pinnara
English: Let Morning Shine
Lyrics Pak Se-yong, 1946
Music Kim Won-gyun[1], 1945
Adopted 1947

Music sample
National anthem of North Korea
Aegukka
Chosŏn'gŭl 애국가
Hancha 愛國歌
McCune–Reischauer Aegukka

"Aegukka" (English: "The Patriotic Song"; literally love country song) is the national anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). It was composed in 1945 as a patriotic song celebrating independence from Imperial Japanese occupation and was adopted as the state anthem in 1947.

Etymology

"Aegukka" is a Romanized transliteration of "The Patriotic Song"; the song is also known by the first phrase of the song Ach'imŭn pinnara or "Let Morning Shine".

History

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (1919–1945) in Shanghai, China adopted as their national anthem "Aegukga" (which has the same name with a different Romanization). After World War II, South Korea kept the words, put to a new tune (changed from Auld Lang Syne), while North Korea adopted this newly written piece in 1947. The words were written by Pak Seyŏng and the music was composed by Kim Wŏn'gyun (Chosŏn'gŭl: 김원균; hancha: 金元均; 1917–2002).[1]

In the early 1980s, Kim Jong-il sought to reduce the song's importance to the benefit of "Song of General Kim Il-sung".[2] "Song of General Kim Il-sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-il" have since taken the place of de facto national anthems domestically, and "Aegukka" is reserved for representing North Korea internationally: when foreign dignitaries visit the country or North Korean athletes compete at international sporting competitions.[3]


See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hoare, James (30 July 2012). Historical dictionary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810861510. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  2. Eddie Burdick (May 26, 2010). Three Days in the Hermit Kingdom: An American Visits North Korea. McFarland. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-7864-5653-6. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  3. Andrei Lankov (April 24, 2007). North of the DMZ: Essays on Daily Life in North Korea. McFarland. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-7864-5141-8. Retrieved April 25, 2015.

External links

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