The national anthem of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is The Patriotic Song .
It was composed by Kim Won Gyun (January 2, 1917-April 5, 2002), winner of Kim Il Sung Prize, Labour Hero and People’s Artist who composed the immortal revolutionary hymn Song of General Kim Il Sung .
Before Korea’s liberation from the Japanese military rule (August 15, 1945), he was an odd-job man in the lowest stratum of society who would tar tinned roofs.
The national liberation gave him a hope and dream and provided him with an opportunity for cultivating his talent.
Experiencing the stirring events in the days of one year after liberation, he keenly realized that General Kim Il Sung was the great Sun of the nation who saved the destiny of Koreans in a miserable plight of a ruined nation, and that his was the genuine embrace of the fatherland.
Boundless respect and fascination for, absolute trust in and ardent loyalty to the leader inspired the ordinary 29-year-old young man to compose Song of General Kim Il Sung as an all-people hymn and famous song with a form of march.
The country honoured him with a title of composer. He believed the title as the expectation and trust of people for creating famous pieces singing of the great leader and the advancing country all his life.
So, one year after the creation of Song of General Kim Il Sung , he composed a solemn and weighty melody of the national anthem reflecting the feelings of people following the great leader, their love and devotion for the prosperous country and their wish for the future of the country.
Much water has flown under the bridge and the generations have been replaced several times, but the national flag of the DPRK is fluttering in the clear, blue sky and the solemn melody of The Patriotic Song is reverberating through the country.
Kim Won Gyun composed many famous pieces like March of Korea (1945), March of Democratic Youth (1947), Our Supreme Commander (1951) and Shine, the Workers’ Party of Korea (1980), while working as vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of Musicians of Korea and the chairman of the National Music Committee of Korea.
The artistic talent training base of the country is named Pyongyang Kim Won Gyun University of Music and Dance.
Yang Ryon Hui
More From Naenara (En)
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
January 14, 2026
Kim Song, permanent representative of the DPRK to the UN, issued the following press statement on January 13: Another unusual
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
January 14, 2026
The Wonsan General Fishing Implements Factory was inaugurated in Kangwon Province, the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
January 14, 2026
Last year the Sangwon Cement Complex managed to increase the cement production by hundreds of thousands of tons. The complex set a
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
January 14, 2026
In the DPRK the Worker-Peasant Red Guards constitute one of the two pillars of the country’s armed forces together with the
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
January 14, 2026
Modern houses have been built at the Hwangju Township Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
January 14, 2026
A photo exhibition “Bringing up a large contingent of successors to the revolution and patriotic youth with great policy of
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
January 14, 2026
Shuttlecock game is played by kicking the shuttlecock to perform various stunts or compete to kick it more than others.As one of t
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
January 14, 2026
Last year the DPRK built many public sports and leisure facilities in various places. The Ice Rink in the capital city of
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
January 13, 2026
One day in September 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited Kangbuk-ri, Kumchon County, North Hwanghae Province, which
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
January 13, 2026
The DPRK is promoting medical sci-tech exchanges. Symposiums and seminars in the field of medical sciences are held every year.
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
January 13, 2026
2025 marked the final year of the implementation of the five-year plan for national economic development set forth at the Eighth
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
January 13, 2026
At a time when new villages are springing up across the DPRK, new houses have been built at the Yaksan Farm in Songhwa County,
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
January 13, 2026
Citizens of the DPRK conducted mass sports activities on the first day of sports for this year. Sports games were held at
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
January 12, 2026
New houses have been built at farm villages of Singye-ri, Hoeyang County and Jiha-ri, Phangyo County, Kangwon Province. The houses
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
January 12, 2026
From the outset of the new year, the present ultra-right ruling forces of Japan are adding a serious danger to the security
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
January 11, 2026
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press
The first-term winter camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK. A ceremony of starting the camping
January 11, 2026
The first-term winter camping began at the Songdowon International Children's Camp in the DPRK. A ceremony of starting the camping
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of the
January 11, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of the
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province of the DPRK.
January 11, 2026
New houses have been built in Sambong-ri of Phyongwon County and Yonphung-ri of Anju City, South Phyongan Province of the DPRK.
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
January 11, 2026
A meeting with sportspersons who won the international games in 2025 was held on January 9. Present there were Kim Il Guk,
More Articles
