ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study is to understand the music of the North Korea. It has been more than 55 years since the Korean peninsular has divided into two countries by the force of foreign countries. Currently, an ardent wish for reunification is growing in every corner of the South Korea. Thus it is necessary for music educators to prepare basis for the musical reunification. Since the South and the North Korea have set apart for more than 55 years, there are many dissimilarities and heterogeneities such as language, tradition, way of living, political identity, economic status, culture and musical culture. It is the responsibilities of music educators to prepare ways of building musically reunified country. As a first step of the stated necessity, this thesis has tried to answer the following research questions: 1) what is underlying philosophy of North Korean music? 2) what kinds of music exists in the DPRK? 3) what is the predominant formal structure of DPRK`s music? 4) what kinds of music are taught in the North Korean school music class room? 5) what consists the content of school music text book of the DPRK? In order to answer the stated research questions, `Theories on Music as an Art` written by Jung-Il Kim, current political and military leader of the DPRK, and music tent books of the North Korea were thoroughly investigated and analyzed. The following is the findings of this study. First, though the North Korea follows the category of referentialism, the `Juche` (self identity) is the main philosophical basis of the North Korean music and music education practice. Second, there are mainly three kinds of music exists in North Korea, and those are vocal music based on strophic form, pure instrumental music, and instrumental-vocal mixed music. Under these three categories, vocal music is very strong and well-developed. Third, the kinds of songs in practice are revolutionary song, hymn of phrase for general Kim, Jung-Il, and past Kim, Il-Sung, lyrical songs, songs for work, march song, and folk songs. Fourth, the predominant formal structure of the North Korea`s musical practice is based on jul-ga` form which is similar to strophic form. Fifth, In the North Korean music class, songs mentioned in the number 3 are mainly taught. In North Korea, music is not simply for art`s sake but for political propaganda`s sake. Thus, function of music is very important in the north Korea. Music without referential function is useless in the DPRK. Other hand, in the south Korea, pure music for music sake philosophy is predominant. Considering these discrepancies, the researcher has drawn seven recommendations for understanding the music of North Korea at the end of the study.