Kang Song Jin, section chief of the National Musical Instruments Institute of the Pyongyang Traditional Musical Instruments Factory, has devoted his all to the development of national art.
He is well known at home for his prominence in making kayagum, oungum and other traditional stringed instruments.
“Have you ever made a musical instrument? It is quite different from carpentry,” an old-timer asked Kang when he was appointed to the institute decades ago.
As he put in, musical instrument making was more than craftsmanship. It required deep insight into traditional instruments, great musical sensitivity, profound knowledge of musical art and exquisite craftsmanship.
Kang buckled down to work in high spirits with his mind made up to make a superb traditional musical instrument.
He started with okryugum.
He delved into the structural characteristics and making methods of traditional instruments and began to learn how to make a traditional instrument with the help of veteran makers. He successfully finished his first okryugum.
Later he set himself to study and develop kayagum.
He called on traditional musical instrumentalists to solicit their views and made efforts to further enrich the original tone of kayagum. He made a point of getting feedback from instrumentalists on the finished one before making modifications if necessary.
Assiduous research and efforts paid off. He refined kayagum so that it could express the beautiful and ennobling national sentiment in a better light, and improved oungum in technical terms, thus making a tangible contribution to the development of traditional musical instruments.
He has made hundreds of kayagum up to now and some of the instruments he made were highly appreciated at several national musical instruments shows.
Kang still works hard to make the sweet melody of national music better received.
Pak Ui Chol
More From Naenara (En)
Preserved in the International Friendship Exhibition House situated in Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK, are as many
June 23, 2025
Preserved in the International Friendship Exhibition House situated in Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK, are as many
Taedonggang is a floating restaurant frequented by the people. What is impressive on the floating restaurant is to enjoy the view
June 23, 2025
Taedonggang is a floating restaurant frequented by the people. What is impressive on the floating restaurant is to enjoy the view
DPRK players are proving successful at the U-17, U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 being held in Vietnam. The championships
June 23, 2025
DPRK players are proving successful at the U-17, U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 being held in Vietnam. The championships
Last year, agricultural workers at the Kumchon Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, moved into new houses amid the
June 23, 2025
Last year, agricultural workers at the Kumchon Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, moved into new houses amid the
Among the eye-catchers at the 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair held in May were Ragwon-brand women’s dresses. A
June 23, 2025
Among the eye-catchers at the 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair held in May were Ragwon-brand women’s dresses. A
The Wirim Joint Venture Company specializes in developing and introducing agricultural science and technology products by
June 22, 2025
The Wirim Joint Venture Company specializes in developing and introducing agricultural science and technology products by
Among the scientists who were selected as national top scientists and technicians of 2024 is Kim Kyong Su, PhD and head of the
June 22, 2025
Among the scientists who were selected as national top scientists and technicians of 2024 is Kim Kyong Su, PhD and head of the
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, inaugurated thanks to the new regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has
June 22, 2025
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, inaugurated thanks to the new regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has
- Visit to the regional-industry factories in Songchon county- Songchon County in South Phyongan Province has long been famous for
June 21, 2025
- Visit to the regional-industry factories in Songchon county- Songchon County in South Phyongan Province has long been famous for
Quintuplets born for the first time in the DPRK left the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital on June 19. The mother of the quintuplets
June 21, 2025
Quintuplets born for the first time in the DPRK left the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital on June 19. The mother of the quintuplets
A child prodigy stole the show at the national IT achievements exhibition-2024. He is Choe Thae Hui, a six-year-old child at
June 21, 2025
A child prodigy stole the show at the national IT achievements exhibition-2024. He is Choe Thae Hui, a six-year-old child at
Kung Jong Sik, a teacher at Phyongsong University of Education, has made remarkable achievements in his efforts to develop the
June 21, 2025
Kung Jong Sik, a teacher at Phyongsong University of Education, has made remarkable achievements in his efforts to develop the
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the embassy of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang jointly
June 21, 2025
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the embassy of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang jointly
Now I am 95 years old. I was 20 when I fought in the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).I still remember the
June 21, 2025
Now I am 95 years old. I was 20 when I fought in the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).I still remember the
The Sports Contest of Revolutionary Schools-2025 took place at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School from June 17 to 19. The contest
June 21, 2025
The Sports Contest of Revolutionary Schools-2025 took place at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School from June 17 to 19. The contest
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following press statement titled
June 20, 2025
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following press statement titled
A meeting took place at the Sci-Tech Complex on June 18 to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities. Present there were Jon Chol
June 20, 2025
A meeting took place at the Sci-Tech Complex on June 18 to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities. Present there were Jon Chol
Lately, we had a chance to travel with tourists to Mt Jongbang on a tour arranged by the Morangbong Travel Company. After a 32km
June 20, 2025
Lately, we had a chance to travel with tourists to Mt Jongbang on a tour arranged by the Morangbong Travel Company. After a 32km
The Sunchon City Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory endeavours to produce efficacious traditional Koryo medicines. To increase
June 20, 2025
The Sunchon City Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory endeavours to produce efficacious traditional Koryo medicines. To increase
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
June 19, 2025
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
More Articles
