Aegukka

애국가

English: The Patriotic Song
Aegukka
Emblem of North Korea
National anthem of North Korea
Also known as	Ach'imŭn pinnara English: Let Morning Shine
Lyrics	Pak Seyŏng
Music	Kim Wŏn'gyun
Adopted	1947
Music sample
"The Patriotic Song" (Instrumental)

Aegukka
Chosŏn'gŭl	애국가
Hancha	愛國歌
McCune–Reischauer	Aegukka
Revised Romanization	Aegukga

Aegukka is also the name of the national anthem of South Korea, although it is romanized differently. See Aegukga.

"The Patriotic Song" (Korean: 애국가, "Aegukka"), also known as "Let Morning Shine", is the national anthem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, also known as North Korea.

Etymology

"Aegukka" is also popularly referred to in North Korea 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 its previous tune of "Auld Lang Syne"), while North Korea adopted a newly-written piece in 1947. The words were written by Pak Seyŏng (박세영; 朴世永; 1902–1989) and the music was composed by Kim Wŏn'gyun (김원균; 金元均; 1917–2002).

"Aegukka" is also notable in the fact that this particular national anthem neither praises the Workers' Party of Korea, nor Kim Il-sung or Kim Jong-il's cult of personality.

Lyrics

Chosŏn'gŭl	Chosŏn'gŭl with Hancha	McCune-Reischauer	English Translation
First verse
아침은 빛나라 이 강산 은금에 자원도 가득한 삼천리 아름다운 내 조국 반만년 오랜 력사에 찬란한 문화로 자라난 슬기론 인민의 이 영광 몸과 맘 다 바쳐 이 조선 길이 받드세	아침은 빛나라 이 江山 銀金에 資源도 가득한 三千里 아름다운 내 祖國 半萬年 오랜 歷史에 燦爛한 文化로 자라난 슬기론 人民의 이 榮光 몸과 맘 다 바쳐 이 朝鮮 길이 받드세	Ach'imŭn pinnara i kangsan Ŭn'gŭme chawŏndo kadŭkhan Samch'ŏlli arŭmdaun nae choguk Panmannyŏn oraen ryŏksaë Ch'allanhan munhwaro charanan Sŭlgiron inminŭi i yŏnggwang Momgwa mam ta pach'yŏ i Chosŏn Kiri pattŭse	Let morning shine on this land's rivers and mountains, Three thousand li full of silver and gold. This is my beautiful fatherland with a five millenia long history. Brought up in a brilliant culture The glory of a wise people Devoting our bodies and minds to this Korea, Let us support forever.
Second verse
백두산 기상을 다 안고 근로의 정신은 깃들어 진리로 뭉쳐진 억센 뜻 온 세계 앞서 나가리 솟는 힘 노도도 내밀어 인민의 뜻으로 선 나라 한없이 부강하는 이 조선 길이 빛내세	白頭山 氣像을 다 안고 勤勞의 精神은 깃들어 眞理로 뭉쳐진 억센 뜻 온 世界 앞서 나가리 솟는 힘 怒濤도 내밀어 人民의 뜻으로 선 나라 限없이 富强하는 이 朝鮮 길이 빛내세	Paektusan kisangŭl ta anko Kŭlloŭi chŏngsinŭn kittŭrŏ Chilliro mungch'yŏjin ŏksen ttŭt On segye apsŏ nagari Sonnŭn him nododo naemirŏ Inminŭi ttŭsŭro sŏn nara Hanŏpsi puganghanŭn i Chosŏn Kiri pinnaese	Embracing the atmosphere of Baekdu Mountain, Nest for the spirit of labour, The firm will, bonded with truth, Will go forth to all the world. The country established by the will of the people, Breasting the raging waves with soaring strength. This limitlessly rich and strong Korea, Let us glorify forever.

External links

• Streaming audio, lyrics and info
• MIDI file
• Lyrics and MP3 of performance by the State Merited Chorus of the Korean People's Army