From ancient times, our wise and talented ancestors developed traditional folk music with all sorts of national musical instruments and songs reflecting people’s desire and life.

   In October Juche 47 (1958), on the 10th anniversary of the Republic founding, the grand performance of the selected troupes for the national art festival was given in the Pyongyang Moranbong Art Theatre (then) in the presence of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung.

   There was a performance of the national instrumental ensemble on the stage by the pupils of the Namsong Middle School.

   15 members  of the national instrumental ensemble played Kayagum and Saejanggo, and sang the first song “Beat the harvest drum loud”.

   Until then, there was a trend of regarding western musical instruments and music as superlative but ignoring folk music. Thus the officials and examiners in charge of the festival didn’t pay much attention to this program.

   However, to their surprise, the great leader gave the first applause after the performance and highly appreciated their successful performance.

   Pupils were encouraged and continued their second program “Kwaejina Chingching Nane”.

    “Kwaejina Chingching Nane” is a very popular song among Korean people describing the indomitable mettle and the triumph of Koreans who had repelled Japanese aggressors in the Imjin Patriotic War. Kwaejae means extremely delighted and it was transformed into Kwaeji, and Chingching indicates Kadungchongjong (Kato Kiyomasa) and Nane means being driven out. Thus, “Kwaejina Chingching Nane” means that people are extremely satisfied and delighted because they have driven out the enemy commander Kadungchongjong.

   The great leader was satisfied with the performance and gave the first applause again. He highly appreciated and said that our national instruments were really nice and our folk songs were always pleasant to listen. He continued that children performed very well and also played Kayagums well.

   Thus the mistaken prejudice of the officials in charge of examining the national instrumental ensemble was renewed.

   After the performance, the great leader met the pupils. He asked since when they started to learn those national musical instruments and said that our folk music was excellent and Korean song was nice to sing and listen. He continued that all pupils should be able to play one of the national musical instruments.

   The high appreciation of the great leader reflected his noble idea and expectation that the new generations will succeed the tradition of the excellent folk music and make the flower garden of Juche art blossom beautifully.

   Afterwards, they conducted works for developing the national music more actively at school, upholding the teachings of the great leader. That example was generalized in all schools throughout the country.