# Aegukga

Aegukga| English: Patriotic Song |
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| 애국가 |
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National anthem of  South Korea

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| Lyrics | Unknown (probably Yun Chi-ho or Ahn Changho), 1896 |
| Music | Ahn Eak-tai, 1936 |
| Adopted | August 1948 (1948-08) |
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| Audio sample |
| U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse)* file
* help
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"**Aegukga**" (Korean: 애국가; say: *ay-GOOК-gə*), meaning "**The Patriotic Song**", is the national anthem of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). It should not be confused with North Korea's anthem, which has the same name.

The lyrics of the Aegukga sung today were created around 1907, a time when the country was under threat from foreign invasions, to inspire patriotism, loyalty, and a sense of independence. Over time, the lyrics were refined by various pioneers to their current form, and the melody was set to the Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne."

Ahn Ik-tae (안익태), who was active abroad, felt it was unfortunate that the Aegukga was sung to a foreign melody. In 1935, he composed the melody that we sing today. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea adopted this composition as the national anthem, but it was only spread overseas. In Korea, the anthem continued to be sung to the Scottish folk melody until the establishment of the government after liberation.

After the establishment of the South Korean government in 1948, Ahn's composition was used at official events and included in school textbooks nationwide, becoming widely sung across the country. Subsequently, this Aegukga was widely spread abroad and became established as the de facto national anthem.

ith the formalization of the Aegukga as the national anthem, it was actively promoted in the 1950s through media like the Korean News. Additionally, various guidelines and directives, such as the "Instructions on Etiquette for Flag Hoisting and Aegukga Singing" (1966), gradually incorporated it into national ceremonies. The instructions stated that during the salute to the national flag and the singing of the Aegukga, people should show proper respect by standing still, and all passing individuals and vehicles should stop to show respect.

## Lyrics

| Words of the song in Korean | Words of the song using Roman letters | Pronunciation of these words using the IPA | Words of the song in English |
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| **1절**
동해 물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록,
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세.

**후렴:**
무궁화 삼천리 화려 강산,
대한 사람, 대한으로 길이 보전하세.

**2절:**
남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯
바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세.

**후렴3절:**
가을 하늘 공활한데 높고 구름 없이
밝은 달은 우리 가슴 일편단심일세.

**후렴4절:**
이 기상과 이 맘으로 충성을 다하여
괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세.

**후렴** | **1-jeol:**
Donghae mulgwa Baekdusani mareugo daltorok
Haneunimi bouhasa urinara manse.

**Huryeom:**
Mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeo gangsan
Daehan saram, daehaneuro giri bojeonhase.

**2-jeol:**
Namsan wie jeo sonamu cheolgabeul dureun deut
Baram seori bulbyeonhameun uri gisang-ilse.

**Huryeom3-jeol:**
Ga-eul haneul gonghwalhande nopgo gureum eopsi
Balgeun dareun uri gaseum ilpyeondansimilse.

**Huryeom4-jeol:**
I gisanggwa i mameuro chungseong-eul dahayeo
Goerouna jeulgeouna nara saranghase.

**Huryeom** | **[1 t͡ɕʌ̹ɭ]**
[to̞ŋ.ɦe̞ mul.gwa̠ pe̞k̚.t͈u.sʰa̠ɲ.i ma̠.ɾɯ.go̞ ta̠l.tʰo̞.ɾo̞k̚]
[ha̠.nɯ.ɲim.i po̞.u.ɦa̠.sʰa̠ u.ɾi.na̠.ɾa̠ ma̠n.sʰe̞ ǁ]

**[ɸʷu.ɾjʌ̹m]**
[mu.ɡuŋ.βwa̠ sʰa̠m.t͡ɕʰʌ̹ʎ.ʎi ɸwa̠ɾ.jʌ̹ ka̠ŋ.sʰa̠n]
[tɛ̝.ɦa̠n sʰa̠.ɾa̠m ǀ te̞.ɦa̠n.ɯ.ɾo̞ kiɾ.i po̞.d͡ʑʌ̹n.ɦa̠.sʰe̞ ǁ]

**[2 t͡ɕʌ̹ɭ]**
[na̠m.sʰa̠n (ɥ)i.e̞ t͡ɕʌ̹ sʰo̞.na̠.mu t͡ɕʰʌ̹l.ga̠b.ɯl tu.ɾɯn tɯt̚]
[pa̠.ɾa̠m sʰʌ̹.ɾi pul.bjʌ̹n.ɦa̠m.ɯn u.ɾi ki.sʰa̠ŋ.il.s͈e̞ ǁ]

**[ɸʷu.ɾjʌ̹m][3 t͡ɕʌ̹ɭ]**
[ka̠.ɯɭ ha̠.nɯɭ ko̞ŋ.βwa̠ɾ.ɦa̠n.de̞ no̞p̚.k͈o̞ ku.ɾɯm ʌ̹p̚ɕ͈.i]
[pa̠lg.ɯn ta̠ɾ.ɯn u.ɾi ka̠.sʰɯm il.pʰjʌ̹n.da̠n.ɕʰim.il.s͈e̞ ǁ]

**[ɸʷu.ɾjʌ̹m][4 t͡ɕʌ̹ɭ]**
[i ki.sʰa̠ŋ.gwa̠ i ma̠m.ɯ.ɾo̞ t͡ɕʰuŋ.sʰʌ̹ŋ.ɯl ta̠.ɦa̠.jʌ̹]
[kwe̞.ɾo̞.u.na̠ t͡ɕɯl.gʌ̹.u.na̠ na̠.ɾa̠ sʰa̠.ɾa̠ŋ.ɦa̠.sʰe̞ ǁ]

**[ɸʷu.ɾjʌ̹m]** | **1st verse**
Until the East Sea's waves are dry, Mt. Baekdu worn away,
God watch o'er our land forever, our Korea manse.

**Refrain:**
Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land;
Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand.

**2nd verse**
Like that Mt. Namsan armoured pine, standing on duty still,
wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.

Refrain3rd verse**
In autumn's, arching evening sky, crystal and cloudless blue;
be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single and true.

Refrain4th verse**
With such a will, such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand,
Let us love, come grief, come gladness, this our beloved land.

Refrain |

### A more poetic translation

**I**

East Sea's waters and Baekdu Mountain stand strong and proud,

God bless our nation forever, let our cheers ring loud.

**Refrain**

Three thousand miles of Mugunghwa, beauty we hold dear,

Korean hearts and spirits, preserve our land with cheer.

**II**

Pines on Namsan stand resolute, adorned in their pride,

Through wind and frost unyielding, our spirit will abide.

RefrainIII**

Autumn skies are vast and bright, with clouds not in our sight,

The moon shines pure and steady, reflecting our true light.

RefrainIV**

With this spirit and this heart, we'll serve our nation's call,

Through joy and through the hardships, love our land through it all.

Refrain