Aegukka (The Patriotic Song) is the national anthem of North Korea. It is also known by the first phrase of the song Ach’imŭn pinnara or “Let Morning Shine.”
Before the founding of North Korea, the northern part of Korea initially had as its anthem the same song as South Korea, but North Korea adopted this newly-written piece in 1947. The words were written by Pak Seyŏng (박세영; 朴世永; 19021989) and the music was composed by Kim Wŏn’gyun (김 원균; 金元均; 19172002).
North Korea National Anthem Lyrics
A ch’im un pinnara, i kangsan ungum e,
Chawon do kaduk han samch’olli,
Arumdaun nae choguk,
Panmannyon oraen ryoksa
E ch’allan han munhwa ro charanan
Sulgiroun inmin ui i yonggwang.
Mom gwa mam ta pach’yo,
I, choson kiri pattuse.
Ch’al paektusan kisang ul ta anko.
Kullo ui chongsin un kitturo.
Chilli ro mungch’yo jin oksen ttut
On segye apso nagari.
Sonnun him nodo do naemiro,
Inmin ui ttus uro son nara.
Han opsi pugang hanun
I choson kiri pinnaese.
North Korea National anthem English Translation:
Let morning shine on the silver and gold of this land,
Three thousand leagues packed with natural wealth.
My beautiful fatherland.
The glory of a wise people
Brought up in a culture brilliant
With a history five millennia long.
Let us devote our bodies and minds
To supporting this Korea forever.
The firm will, bonded with truth,
Nest for the spirit of labour,
Embracing the atmosphere of Mount Paektu,
Will go forth to all the world.
The country established by the will of the people,
Breasting the raging waves with soaring strength.
Let us glorify forever this Korea,
Limitlessly rich and strong.