National Anthem Comparison
North Korea vs South Korea
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
51
51 years apart
✓
Same continent
Comparison Analysis
North Korea and South Korea, both Asia nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. North Korea's "Patriotic Song" was written in 1947, while South Korea's "Aegukga" dates to 1896.
Both anthems share themes of Nature and Resilience. North Korea additionally explores Prosperity, Ancestors / Heritage and Identity, while South Korea also touches on Love of homeland and God / Faith.
The emotional tones differ: North Korea's anthem is Proud, while South Korea's is Solemn.
South Korea's anthem predates North Korea's by 51 years, having been written in 1896 compared to 1947.
Shared themes
North Korea
🌿 Nature 💪 Resilience 🌾 Prosperity 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage 🏛 Identity
South Korea
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland 💪 Resilience ✝ God / Faith
Shared themes:
🌿 Nature 💪 Resilience
Metadata
| North Korea | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1947 | 1896 |
| Adopted | 1947 | 1948 |
| Lyricist | Pak Se-yong | Yun Chi-ho or Ahn Changho (debated) |
| Composer | Kim Won-gyun | Ahn Eak-tai |
| Language | ko | ko |
| Region | East Asia | East Asia |
Lyrics Side by Side
North Korea
애국찬가
Original
아침은 빛나라 이 강산
은금에 자원도 가득한
삼천리 아름다운 내 조국
반만년 오랜 력사에
찬란한 문화로 자라난
슬기로운 인민의 이 영광
몫과 마음 다 바쳐
이 조선 길이 받드세
백두산 기상을 다 안고
근로의 정신 깃들어
진리로 뭉쳐진 억센 나라
전 세계에 앞서 나가리
솜굳세 일어나 나라의
힘도 다 내어 끝없이
두만강에 지혜로운
인민의 이 영광
Translation
Let morning shine on the rivers and mountains of this land,
Rich in silver and gold, with bountiful resources,
Three thousand li of beautiful fatherland.
With a history of five thousand years,
Brilliant culture has flourished,
The glory of this wise people.
Let us devote our bodies and minds
To supporting this Korea forever.
Embracing the spirit of Baekdu,
Infused with the ethos of toil,
A nation forged in truth, millions strong,
Let us go forth before the whole world.
Rise up as one, strong and enduring,
Giving all our strength without end,
The wise people of the Duman River,
Theirs is this glory.
South Korea
애국가
Original
동해물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세.
[후렴]
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.
남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯
바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세.
[후렴]
가을 하늘 공활한데 높고 구름 없이
밝은 달은 우리 가슴 일편단심일세.
[후렴]
이 기상과 이 맘으로 충성을 다하여
괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세.
[후렴]
Translation
Until the East Sea's waters are dried, and Baekdusan worn away,
God protect and preserve our nation, ten thousand years.
[Chorus]
Three thousand li of splendid rivers and mountains,
Filled with Rose of Sharon, great Koreans, let us forever preserve our great land.
As the pine atop Namsan stands firm, unchanged through wind and frost,
As if wrapped in armour, so is our resilient spirit.
[Chorus]
The autumn sky is void and vast, high and cloudless,
The bright moon is our heart, undivided and true.
[Chorus]
With this spirit and this mind, give all loyalty,
In suffering or in joy, love the country.
[Chorus]
Interesting facts
North Korea
- 1. Both North and South Korea call their anthems 'Aegukka' (Patriotic Song), though the music and lyrics are entirely different
- 2. Unusually for North Korea, the anthem makes no reference to the Kim dynasty or the Workers' Party of Korea
- 3. The anthem references Korea's legendary 5,000-year history, a claim shared by both North and South Korea
South Korea
- 1. Composer Ahn Eak-tai wrote the melody while living in Spain and later conducted the premiere with a European orchestra, but he never returned to Korea to hear it performed as the official anthem.
- 2. The anthem references Mount Baekdu, which actually sits on the North Korean-Chinese border, meaning South Korea's anthem celebrates a mountain it has no territorial access to.
- 3. South Korean law does not require citizens to stand for the anthem, but a specific etiquette code published by the government suggests placing the right hand over the heart.
Listen
North Korea
South Korea
