The beautiful South Korean anthem, "Aegukka", was adopted in 1948 after being liberated from Japan. Before the Japanese takeover of 1935, the melody for the Korean anthem was the popular Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne", with the words being the same as the anthem in use today. The words are by Yun Ch'i-Ho or An Ch'ang-Ho. It has been in use since 1948. The music is by Ahn Eaktay
Anthem Lyrics
Aegukka
1. Donghae mul gwa Baekdu sani mareugo dal torok, Haneunimi bo-u hasa uri nara manse,
Refrain:Mu gunghwa sam cheolli hwaryeo gang san, Daehan saram Daehan euro giri bojeonhase
1. Until the East Sea's waves are dry, (and) Mt. Baekdusan worn away, God watch o'er our land forever! Our country forever!
REFRAIN: Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land! Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand!
2. Like that Mt. Namsan armored pine, standing on duty still, wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.
3. In autumn's, arching evening sky,crystal, and cloudless blue, Be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single, and true.
4. With such a will, (and) such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand, Let us love, come grief, come gladness, this, our beloved land!
Korea, South Flag
Korea, South Flag
Flag History
The trigrams symbolize:
I - heaven, the south and summer
II - moon, the west, autumn and water
III - the earth, the north and winter
IV - the sun, the east, spring, and fire. The black stands for vigilance, perseverance, justice and chastity.
Flag Date of Adoption
25 January 1950
Flag Symbolism
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol, a synthesis of the Great Beginning - called tateguk in Korean, in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
White is the national color, a symbol of purity, peace and justice.