The Korean people have made fine folk musical instruments for a long period of time, contributing to the development of music and dance of humans.
Among them is yanggum , or Korean zither that is played by striking or plucking its strings.
Yanggum dates back to the 18th century in Korea.
At first it was very small. It had wires stretched along a square wooden box and mounted on bridges. With the body held up in the left hand, it was played by striking a string with a beater made of bamboo in the right hand.
The wire strings produced clear, plaintive and unique tunes, but they had some shortcomings such as narrow pitch range, poor resonance, random persistence of reverberation and lack of free modulation.
In the 1960s yanggum underwent improvement, overcoming the shortcomings and gaining popularity as one of the folk instruments.
It is mostly made from spruce, Aceraceae meno and Acer triflorum .
The sound box consists of the front plate, back plate, front rim plate, back rim plate, middle rim plate, peg plate and wire pin plate.
When the instrument is played, a newly installed device prevents the sound from resonating unnecessarily longer.
The present yanggum ’s pitch range is wider than that of the previous one. The bridges are made of cast brass and the tones are adjusted with pegs.
The beater is made of elastic bamboo, with its tip attached with pressed wool.
The method of making yanggum has been put on the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
Jo Il Gyong, head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the Korean National Heritage Preservation Agency
More From Naenara (En)
In recent years new rural houses have been mushrooming across the DPRK–from the remote mountain villages in the northern areas
January 22, 2026
In recent years new rural houses have been mushrooming across the DPRK–from the remote mountain villages in the northern areas
One night in June 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Taedonggang Fish Restaurant built on the banks of
January 22, 2026
One night in June 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Taedonggang Fish Restaurant built on the banks of
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in the DPRK. The catalyst production base is
January 22, 2026
A new catalyst production base has been built at the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in the DPRK. The catalyst production base is
The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) in his teens embarked on a 250-mile journey with a resolve to win back Korea’s
January 22, 2026
The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) in his teens embarked on a 250-mile journey with a resolve to win back Korea’s
Mountainous villages in Jagang Province of the DPRK are turning into fairyland ones. There took place house-moving in Puji-ri of
January 22, 2026
Mountainous villages in Jagang Province of the DPRK are turning into fairyland ones. There took place house-moving in Puji-ri of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said in his speech at the event to celebrate the New Year 2026 that he would never exchange for
January 21, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un said in his speech at the event to celebrate the New Year 2026 that he would never exchange for
In December last year several modern hotels were inaugurated with due ceremonies in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province of
January 21, 2026
In December last year several modern hotels were inaugurated with due ceremonies in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province of
One day in December 2013, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Masikryong Ski Resort newly built in Kangwon Province. He
January 21, 2026
One day in December 2013, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Masikryong Ski Resort newly built in Kangwon Province. He
At the end of last year the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un met the labour innovators and meritorious persons who were invited to
January 21, 2026
At the end of last year the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un met the labour innovators and meritorious persons who were invited to
A croaker pedigree farm has been built at the Ongjin West Sea Fish Farm in the DPRK. The pedigree farm has an office building,
January 21, 2026
A croaker pedigree farm has been built at the Ongjin West Sea Fish Farm in the DPRK. The pedigree farm has an office building,
Several farms in Kangwon Province of the DPRK have presented unusual scenes of rural rejuvenation. Newly-built public and
January 21, 2026
Several farms in Kangwon Province of the DPRK have presented unusual scenes of rural rejuvenation. Newly-built public and
The Academy of Forestry has been built on a modern basis in the DPRK. The academy has all conditions, including an office building
January 21, 2026
The Academy of Forestry has been built on a modern basis in the DPRK. The academy has all conditions, including an office building
In December last year it was reported that more than 90 young people from Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, volunteered to
January 20, 2026
In December last year it was reported that more than 90 young people from Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, volunteered to
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex is bringing about innovation in the production of various kinds of machines and equipment from the
January 20, 2026
The Taean Heavy Machine Complex is bringing about innovation in the production of various kinds of machines and equipment from the
As the New Year begins, various sectors of the national economy of the DPRK have registered high production records. The Kim Chaek
January 20, 2026
As the New Year begins, various sectors of the national economy of the DPRK have registered high production records. The Kim Chaek
Socialist ideal villages indicative of the Korean-style rural civilization sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in Taehung County and
January 20, 2026
Socialist ideal villages indicative of the Korean-style rural civilization sprang up at the Chollisong Farm in Taehung County and
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
January 20, 2026
The participants in the celebrations of the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League toured Pyongyang.
The young people all over the DPRK significantly celebrated the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League,
January 19, 2026
The young people all over the DPRK significantly celebrated the 80th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League,
One day in June 1963, the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il had a talk with an official. During the talk the official requested him
January 19, 2026
One day in June 1963, the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il had a talk with an official. During the talk the official requested him
An evening gala of youth and students was held in Pyongyang on January 17 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the
January 19, 2026
An evening gala of youth and students was held in Pyongyang on January 17 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the
More Articles
