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Regime Leadership (Kim Family) Anthems
Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un are all the subject of countless North Korean propaganda songs. Each of the Kim leaders has an offical and sacred “Immortal Revolutionary Hymn,” and they are among the most common pieces of music heard in North Korea. Each Immortal Revolutionary Hymn is merely named; The Song of General Kim Il Sung; The Song of General Kim Jong Il, and the Song of General Kim Jong Un. The hymns position the supposed superiority, generosity, wisdom and courage of each of the dictators.
Each of the three Kim leaders also has what can be described as a “signature song,” a tune which is less formal than the leader's official hymn. The signature songs are broadcast repeatedly as popular music on North Korean media outlets, such as the Korean Central Broadcasting Station and Radio Pyongyang, in an attempt to reinforce the carefully cultivated image of each of the Kim leaders.
Kim Il Sung
Song of General Kim Il Sung
The "Song of General Kim Il Sung" is the most frequently heard song in North Korea and is designated as an “Immortal Revolutionary Hymn.” Played at the commencement of all performances, broadcasts and cultural activity the song is heard more frequently than North Korea’s national anthem. Korean Central Broadcasting (Radio), Korean Central Television and Pyongyang Pangsong Radio all play a chime version of the first two lines of the song as their interval signal at the start of broadcasts.
The song praises Kim Il Sung as the eternal president, positioning his supposed superiority, generosity and wisdom and remains a fundamental component in the continuation of Kim Il Sung's cult of personality. Composed by Kim Won Gyun, the lyrics are written by Ri Chan.
Bright traces of blood on the crags of Jangbaek still gleam,
Still the Amnok carries along signs of blood in its stream.
Still do those hallowed traces shine resplendently
Over Korea ever flourishing and free.
So dear to all our hearts is our General's glorious name,
Our own beloved Kim Il Sung of undying fame.
Tell, blizzards that rage in the wild Manchurian plains,
Tell, you nights in forests deep where the silence reigns,
Who is the partisan whose deeds are unsurpassed?
Who is the patriot whose fame shall ever last?
So dear to all our hearts is our General's glorious name,
Our own beloved Kim Il Sung of undying fame.
He severed the chains of the masses, brought them liberty,
The sun of Korea today, democratic and free.
For the Twenty Points united we stand fast,
Over our fair homeland spring has come at last!
So dear to all our hearts is our General's glorious name,
Our own beloved Kim Il Sung of undying fame.
Long Live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung
Kim Il Sung has many signature songs; one of the most commonly heard in the North Korean media is “Long Live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung.” The rousing song is performed in less formal settings than the official revolutionary hymn “Song of General Kim Il Sung,” and it quite directly references Kim’s supposed brilliance in defeating the Japanese and a claim that he single-handedly defeated the USA imperialists.
Long live! Long live! - Long live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung!
Long life and Glory to You!
He, who pushed away the Japanese in a bloody war
The President, who has visited the land of My Country
Long live! - Long live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung!
The People greet You and give Glory to You!
He, who Single-handedly defeated the U.S imperialists
The President, who protected the dignity of My Country
Long live! - Long live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung!
The People greet You and give Glory to You!
He, who built a Powerful Self-reliant Nation on this land
The President, who leads on the road of Anti-Imperialism
Long live! - Long live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung!
The People greet You and give Glory to You!
Long live! Long live! - Long live Generalissimo Kim Il Sung!
Long life and Glory to You!
Kim Jong Il
Song of General Kim Jong Il
The "Song of General Kim Jong Il" is one of the most frequently heard songs in North Korea and being designated as an “Immortal Revolutionary Hymn," it is played at the commencement of radio and television broadcasts each day. The Pyongyang FM Broadcasting station plays a chime version of the first two lines of the song as its interval signal at the start of each day's broadcasts.
The song praises Kim Jong Il, positioning his supposed superiority, generosity and wisdom and remains a fundamental component in the continuation of Kim Jong Il’s cult of personality. Composed by Sol Myong Sun, the lyrics are written by Sin Un Ho.
Mt. Paektu reaches across
To shape our beautiful land.
Cheers resound all over the land,
Hailing our dear General.
He's the leader of the people,
Carrying forward the Sun's cause.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il.
All blossoms on this earth
Tell of his love, broad and warm.
Blue East and West Seas sing
His exploits in their song.
He is the artist of great joy,
Glorifying the garden of Juche.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il.
Socialist cause he defends
With iron will and courage.
He raises national honor
Far and wide throughout the world.
He is the champion of justice,
Standing for independence.
Long live, long live, General Kim Jong Il.
No Motherland Without You
Kim Jong Il’s most popular signature theme song is “No Motherland Without You.” Today, years after Kim Jong Il’s death, it is still played frequently on the radio and from loudspeakers on the streets of Pyongyang. The song proclaims the talent and virtues of Kim and the fondness of the Korean people to him as he led them out of the turmoils of the Arduous March.
The repeated phrase in the song is "Without you; there would be no us! Without you, there would be no motherland!" It is also considered to be the anthem of the Songun ("military-first") policy that Kim Jong Il implemented in coexistence with the Juche Idea in 1995.
Kim Jong Un
Song of General Kim Jong Un
The "Song of General Kim Jong Un" (also known as Song in Praise of General Kim Jong Un) is frequently played in the North Korean media. The song is a fundamental component in nurturing the establishment and reinforcement of Kim JongUn’s cult of personality.
The song praises Kim Jong Un, positioning the young leader as the bright sun of the century which promotes Kim Jong Un as continuing the work of the first sun; his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. The lyrics present Kim Jong Un as the provider of eternal happiness, the banner of a brilliant victory and through his strength and love the builder of the North Korean paradise.
Onward Toward the Final Victory
‘Onward Toward the Final Victory’ is a North Korean propaganda anthem dedicated to Kim Jong Un and continues the tradition of North Korean supreme leaders signature songs dedicated to them. The song has repeatedly been airing in North Korean state media since July 2012. Its music is attributed to Yoon Du Geun, and its lyrics to Kim Moon Hyuk with the message emphasizing that North Korea is a "powerful, prosperous nation.”. According to the North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the song has been “enthusiastically received by the citizens,” and the regime’s Korean Central News Agency has reported that "the song hardens the will of the Korean army and people to devote their all to the prosperity of the country with high national pride.”
The lyrics are taken from a speech by Kim Jong Un presented at the 100th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather and the country's founding leader Kim Il Sung. Unusually for anthems dedicated to North Korean leaders, Kim Jong Un’s name is not mentioned.
Footsteps
“Footsteps” was a Kim Jong Un’s theme song before his official anthem “Onwards Toward the Final Victory" was composed. The song was released in 2009 and was frequently played in the North Korean media while his father Kim Jong Il was still alive. It was not until after his father's death that Kim Jong Un was given his official hymn. The song a call to follow "Our General Kim's footsteps.”
Tramp tramp tramp
the footsteps of our General Kim
spreading the spirit of February
tramp tramp tramping onwards
Footsteps, Footsteps
spreading out further the sound of a brilliant future ahead
tramp, tramp, tramp, ah, footsteps
The words “General Kim” appear to be a reference to Kim Jong Un himself and February is a reference to the birth month of his father, Kim Jong Il.