How composer Yun Isang became a beloved icon in both North and South Korea



Featured Content How composer Yun Isang became a beloved icon in both North and South Korea Classical music artist organized against Imperial Japan and spent much of his life advocating for Korean reunification Ayesha Sitara December 12, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A bust of Yun Isang crafted by North Korea's Mansudae Art Studio on display at a museum in the South Korean city of Tongyeong, Oct. 2022 \| Image: NK News (edited) On the southern coast of South Korea, in a small city called Tongyeong, lies a bust of renowned composer Yun Isang, in a memorial park built to honor him in 2010. The tranquil setting belies the sculpture’s extraordinary origin: North Korean artists from the Mansudae Art Studio created the bust years ago, and it is one of the very few DPRK products ever to be allowed in the South which normally outlaws imports from its primary “enemy.” On the southern coast of South Korea, in a small city called Tongyeong, lies a bust of renowned composer Yun Isang, in a memorial park built to honor him in 2010. The tranquil setting belies the sculpture’s extraordinary origin: North Korean artists from the Mansudae Art Studio created the bust years ago, and it is one of the very few DPRK products ever to be allowed in the South which normally outlaws imports from its primary “enemy.” Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Classical music artist organized against Imperial Japan and spent much of his life advocating for Korean reunification

Ayesha Sitara December 12, 2022

How composer Yun Isang became a beloved icon in both North and South Korea

A bust of Yun Isang crafted by North Korea's Mansudae Art Studio on display at a museum in the South Korean city of Tongyeong, Oct. 2022 | Image: NK News (edited)

On the southern coast of South Korea, in a small city called Tongyeong, lies a bust of renowned composer Yun Isang, in a memorial park built to honor him in 2010.

The tranquil setting belies the sculpture’s extraordinary origin: North Korean artists from the Mansudae Art Studio created the bust years ago, and it is one of the very few DPRK products ever to be allowed in the South which normally outlaws imports from its primary “enemy.”

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How composer Yun Isang became a beloved icon in both North and South Korea

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Ayesha Sitara

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