June 09, 2026Jun 09, 2026
KCNA Rodong Sinmun (En)

Oungum, National Instrument

Date: 28/04/2025 | Source: Rodong Sinmun (En)

West Coast Exchange, North Korea Watcher Conference, Sept. 2026

The Oungum is a national instrument which was named by Chairman Kim Jong Il. In 1962 the Chairman initiated the manufacturing of Oungum and saw to it that the musical instrument was completed during the days of Oun-dong military camping when he was a student at Kim Il Sung University.The Oungum which was developed as required by the aesthetic tastes of the times serves as an important means in creating modern national music.The timbre of the Oungum is clear and soft and it is used in solo, ensemble, orchestral concert, etc.The Oungum has a sound box, fingerboard and head.There is a sound hole on the upper part of the sound box and tuning pegs in the head part. The Oungum has four metal strings.When playing the Oungum, you press the strings with your left hand fingers and pluck strings by a plectrum with your right hand.Paulownia wood is the material for manufacturing the Oungum.The Oungum is a national treasure and pride of our country.The Oungum manufacturing technique was registered as a national intangible cultural heritage.Rodong Sinmun

The Oungum is a national instrument which was named by Chairman Kim Jong Il. In 1962 the Chairman initiated the manufacturing of Oungum and saw to it that the musical instrument was completed during the days of Oun-dong military camping when he was a student at Kim Il Sung University.

Kim Jong Il

Kim Jong Il

Kim Il Sung

Kim Il Sung

The Oungum which was developed as required by the aesthetic tastes of the times serves as an important means in creating modern national music.

The timbre of the Oungum is clear and soft and it is used in solo, ensemble, orchestral concert, etc.

The Oungum has a sound box, fingerboard and head.

There is a sound hole on the upper part of the sound box and tuning pegs in the head part. The Oungum has four metal strings.

When playing the Oungum, you press the strings with your left hand fingers and pluck strings by a plectrum with your right hand.

Paulownia wood is the material for manufacturing the Oungum.

The Oungum is a national treasure and pride of our country.

The Oungum manufacturing technique was registered as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Rodong Sinmun

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