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)
On December 20, the director of the Institute for Studies of Japan under the DPRK Foreign Ministry released the following press
December 22, 2025
On December 20, the director of the Institute for Studies of Japan under the DPRK Foreign Ministry released the following press
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kim Jong Suk County, a historic place full of the pleasure of enjoying a new
December 22, 2025
Modern regional-industry factories have been built in Kim Jong Suk County, a historic place full of the pleasure of enjoying a new
Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,
December 22, 2025
Regional-industry factories have been inaugurated with splendid ceremony in Koksan County, North Hwanghae Province of the DPRK,
New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan
December 22, 2025
New houses have been built in Songhan-dong and Sonsang-dong of Sinuiju City, North Phyongan Province, and Sanbuk-ri of Suan
In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to
December 22, 2025
In Sepho County of Kangwon Province, too, modern regional-industry factories have been built as another asset of prosperity to
The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of
December 22, 2025
The great Workers’ Party of Korea is translating the centuries-old desire of all the people into reality by building entities of
The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 took place at the Grand People’s Study House in the heart of
December 21, 2025
The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 took place at the Grand People’s Study House in the heart of
New houses have been built at the Ujung and Phyongsang farms in Usi County and the Wolmyong Farm in Kophung County, Jagang
December 21, 2025
New houses have been built at the Ujung and Phyongsang farms in Usi County and the Wolmyong Farm in Kophung County, Jagang
Modern houses of diverse and unique styles have been built in Yonggo-ri of Sinhung County and Pulgunbyol-ri of Hamju County, South
December 20, 2025
Modern houses of diverse and unique styles have been built in Yonggo-ri of Sinhung County and Pulgunbyol-ri of Hamju County, South
As the whole country is filled with great emotion and joy in the new era of regional transformation and prosperity ushered in by
December 20, 2025
As the whole country is filled with great emotion and joy in the new era of regional transformation and prosperity ushered in by
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
December 20, 2025
Thanks to the energetic leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea dynamically opening up a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK almost every day, adorning the
December 20, 2025
Splendid inauguration ceremonies of regional-industry factories are taking place in the DPRK almost every day, adorning the
All the people across the DPRK honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
December 19, 2025
All the people across the DPRK honoured the memory of Chairman Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence on the occasion of the 14th
All the people in the DPRK greeted December with ardent yearning for Chairman Kim Jong Il who devoted his noble life to
December 19, 2025
All the people in the DPRK greeted December with ardent yearning for Chairman Kim Jong Il who devoted his noble life to
DPRK players returned home on December 16 after taking part in the 5th Asian Youth Para Games held in the United Arab Emirates.
December 18, 2025
DPRK players returned home on December 16 after taking part in the 5th Asian Youth Para Games held in the United Arab Emirates.
Thanks to the ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers’ Party of Korea, stirring events demonstrating the
December 18, 2025
Thanks to the ardent desire of the Central Committee of the great Workers’ Party of Korea, stirring events demonstrating the
Officials and members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea (SWUK) held a meeting at the Hall of Women on December 16 to hear
December 18, 2025
Officials and members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea (SWUK) held a meeting at the Hall of Women on December 16 to hear
DPRK schoolchildren met at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on December 16 to tell stories about the great leader Generalis
December 18, 2025
DPRK schoolchildren met at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace on December 16 to tell stories about the great leader Generalis
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) and agricultural workers held a meeting to hear about the noble
December 18, 2025
Officials of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea (UAWK) and agricultural workers held a meeting to hear about the noble
Chilsong Restaurant located at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in Pyongyang draws many visitors. As one of the established
December 18, 2025
Chilsong Restaurant located at the foot of picturesque Moran Hill in Pyongyang draws many visitors. As one of the established
More Articles