[클로즈업 북한] 김원균부터 모란봉까지…북한의 음악정치

Anchor Commentary As North Korea has maintained a dictatorship for a long time, it has become commonplace for art to serve as a servant of politics. Among these tools, music is cited as the easiest and most effective means of uniting the population. That is why the term "music politics" exists in North Korea. Today on "Close-up North Korea," we conducted an in-depth analysis of the lineage and reality of North Korean music politics, which has maintained its essence while attempting its own transformations whenever the hereditary ruler changes. Report Audio Recording: "A bountiful harvest has come. A bountiful harvest has come." The concert hall was filled with the sounds of performances and choral singing by North Korea's top art troupe. This performance was held to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Ok-song, a representative North Korean propaganda music composer. North Korean TV dedicated about an hour to broadcasting the live performance. Thousands of spectators filled the seats, and even Kim Ok-song's family was invited. Audio Recording: Host: "Grandma, you are elderly, but would you mind saying a few words?" Transcript Eun Young-nam (wife of Kim Ok-sung): “The ones who truly bestowed all kinds of love upon my husband, guided him, and elevated him are none other than our Supreme Leader, the General, and our Party.” North Korea is promoting a grand performance to honor a composer, even producing a documentary film. What exactly do ‘music’ and ‘musicians’ mean in this place? Transcript 'Glory to You, Workers' Party of Korea': “Glory to you, Party. Thanks to you, Party.” This is a new song broadcast on North Korean TV last May on the first day of the 7th Party Congress, held for the first time in 36 years. Starting with this song designed to elicit loyalty to the Party, Recording of 'We Are the Standard Bearers of Mallima': “We are the standard bearers of Mallima, breaking through all obstacles trusting in our own strength; oh, the spirit of Mallima Korea.” Songs emphasizing the ‘Mallima Spirit,’ which the North Korean authorities are promoting as a slogan amidst successive speed campaigns, Recording of 'Earnest Heart': “Ah, when shall I ever see you? Our Marshal...” Even songs with lyrics that seem to express longing for Kim Jong Un. This is one aspect of the so-called ‘music politics,’ which attempts to idolize the supreme leader and enforce ideological control through music. Interview with Jeon Young-sun (Professor at the Institute for Unification Humanities, Konkuk University): “In North Korea, the primary goal of culture and arts, including music, is to inspire and motivate the residents to follow the policy directions set forth by the Party—in other words, it primarily serves the function of propaganda and agitation. From this perspective, music can be considered a very important political tool and a method of people's education.” During the early days of the Kim Il-sung era, the vanguard of ‘music politics’ was the first generation of composers, represented by Kim Won-kyun, Ri Myon-sang, and Kim Ok-song. Audio Transcript of 'Song of General Kim Il-sung': “Bloody traces along the ridges of Mount Changbai...” In particular, 'Song of General Kim Il-sung,' composed by Kim Won-kyun, is a representative piece of idolization music that Kim Jong-il ordered to be sung in place of the North Korean national anthem at major political events. His contributions, such as composing this song, were so significant that the Pyongyang Conservatory of Music, known for attracting the nation's top musical prodigies, was posthumously named after him. Ma Sin-ah, who recently made a name for herself by winning the International Chopin Youth Piano Competition, is also a student here. Furthermore, Kim Ok-song, whom Kim Jong-il regarded as the greatest composer, primarily composed military-style songs such as "On the Road to Decisive Battle." Thus, they focused on composing "revolutionary songs" and "wartime songs" praising Kim Il-sung's partisan activities, as well as "songs" that served as idolization songs. Successor Kim Jong-il is famous for initiating so-called "band politics" through the "Wangjaesan Light Music Band" and the "Pochonbo Electronic Music Band," which he personally ordered to be founded in the 1980s. Kim Jong-il, who flaunted his interest in culture and the arts, launched so-called "music politics" in earnest, putting forward the logic that "hardships are overcome through music." Transcript of "Nice to Meet You": "Fellow compatriots~ Brothers and sisters~ It is a pleasure to meet you like this~" Unlike the past, which was dominated by solemn revolutionary songs or idolization songs,