Arirang, a folk song which the Korean people love to sing was registered as the world intangible cultural heritage.
The 9th UNESCO meeting of the inter-governmental committee for protecting the intangible cultural heritage held in Paris, France in November 2014 discussed the issue of registering Arirang, the Korean folk song suggested by the DPRK, as “the typical list of intangible cultural heritages of mankind”. Korean folk song Arirang was registered as “the typical list of intangible cultural heritages of mankind” by the unanimous support of representatives from all party members of the convention.
In an article on the news that the DPRK’s folk song Arirang was registered as the “the typical list of intangible cultural heritages of mankind”, the UNESCO said… Arirang is a popular folk song which is sung on various significant occasions and holidays as well as by families, friends and groups. Through the process of oral transmission and recreation, Arirang exists in many forms of traditional type, orchestra and modern music. Arirang sings about separation and reunion, sorrow and happiness in a gentle and lyric melody. This song contributes to mutual respect and peaceful development of society by consolidating public relations.
That Korean folk song Arirang was registered as “the typical list of intangible cultural heritages of mankind” and became the world intangible heritage first in the DPRK is a demonstration not only of validity and vitality of the WPK’s policy on preserving the national legacies but of intelligence and talent, excellence of time-honoured culture of the Korean nation.
