National Gugak Center Holds Academic Conference on 'North Korea's Performing Arts Institutions'

Members of the Mansudae Art Troupe performing a congratulatory show at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater. Photo by AFP.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Gugak Center (Director Kim Youngwoon) announced on the 12th that it will hold the "8th North Korean Music Academic Conference" to promote understanding of North Korea's national traditional arts since the division and to explore the development direction of Korean ethnic music and arts in preparation for unification.

The academic conference will be held on the 13th at 2 PM at the National Gugak Center's Umyeondang and will be live-streamed on YouTube. This year's conference theme is "North Korean Performing Arts Institutions," moderated by Professor Lee Wooyoung of the University of North Korean Studies.

Yang Mujin, President of the University of North Korean Studies, will present on the operational relationships of all North Korean performing arts institutions, focusing on the Propaganda and Agitation Department and cultural characteristics. Professor Jeon Youngsun of Konkuk University will introduce the overall North Korean literature and arts research institutions and performing institutions, and Professor Kim Soohyun of Dankook University will present on the Chosun Musicians' Alliance and the Chosun National Music Research Institute.

Researcher Kim Jieun of the Minhwahyeop will discuss the Mansudae Art Troupe and the Pibada Opera Troupe, and Professor Lee Kyungboon of Seoul National University will explain North Korea's elite music groups, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Yun Isang Orchestra. Professor Bae Ingyo of Gyeongin National University of Education will present on the National Ethnic Arts Troupe and the banner of ethnic music, and finally, Professor Ha Seunghui of Dongguk University will present on North Korea's electronic orchestra.

This academic conference aims to foster the creative research motivation of North Korean music researchers and create a research environment by including three discussants who recently obtained related doctoral degrees or are researchers in related fields. The discussants are Lee Jeonga (Dong-A University), Yoon Hyunkyung (Ewha Womans University), and Jung Myungmoon (Korea University).

The entire academic conference will be simultaneously live-streamed on YouTube, and it can also be accessed through the National Gugak Center's website after the event concludes.