National Anthem of Korea: Aeguk-ga

[punuri]

Aeguk-ga is the national anthem of South Korea, that literally means the "Song of Love for Country." It expresses Koreans' patriotism toward the country. 

The Aeguk-ga currently sung by the people of South Korea was composed by Ahn Ik-Tae in 1936 and adopted as the National Anthem of Korea on August, 1948 when the first Korean government was inaugurated. However, it has been said that the Aeguk-ga was created as many different words as reported in the first Korean newspaper, Dongnip Sinmun, issued in 1896. The words shown in the present day Aeguk-ga were written in the early 19th century and all the Koreans sang it with the melody of Auld Lang Syne, a folk song of Scotland. And later, a Korean overseas composer Ahn Ik-Tae (1905-1965), who felt that it was inappropriate to sing the national anthem to the tune of other country's folk song, composed a new tune in 1935. Even though the new anthem was composed, singing the song by the Koreans at home was banned during Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), but overseas Koreans started to sing the anthem to the new tune. Since establishing the Republic of Korea in 1948, all the Koreans have sung the Aeguk-ga to the new music at every official event. So, the song soon spread nationwide and it was recognized as South Korea's national anthem. 

Transliteration of Aeguk-ga

Stanza 1: Donghae mulgwa Baekdusani mareugo daltorok, Haneunimi bouhasa urinara manse.

Stanza 2: Namsan wie jeo sonamu cheolgabeul dureundeut, Baram seori bulbyeonhameun uri gisangilse.

Stanza 3: Gaeul haneul gonghwalhande nopgo gureum eopsi, Balgeun daleun uri gaseum ilpyeondansimilse.

Stanza 4: Eeh gisanggwa eeh mameuro chungseongeul dahayeo, Goerouna jeulgeouna nara saranghase. 

Stanza 4: With such a will and such a spirit, let us show our loyalty, Regardless of grief and gladness, let us love our beloved country.  

Refrain: The Rose of Sharon, in the thousand miles of mountain and river land, May God keep the country united and Korea stand forever.