Who wrote National Anthem of Korea: An Chang-ho or Yun Chi-ho

Nobody have objections to the claims that Korea's national anthem was composed by Ahn Eak-tai, but the lyricist remains unidentified. There have long been disputes in academia but there is still fierce standoff to who wrote the lyrics between An Chang-ho and Yun Chi-ho.

Seoul Theological University hosts a discussion sesson at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Korea Press Center on "Inquiring into Korean National Anthem Writer: An Chang-ho vs. Yun Chi-ho." Attendants include former Prime Minister Lee Su-seong and Academy of Korean Studies chief Lee Bae-yong, and experts will engage in an open-end debate presenting reasons for argument.

Guest Professor An Yong-hwan at Seoul Theological University will make a presentation on "16 factors that justify An Chang-ho wrote the national anthem." He will argue An's handwritten music note and say the chorus part resembles the first to fourth verses. Also, he will emphasize that the footnote "One tune of Mugungwhaga" was added to "Gwonhakga" that An wrote and listed on the national anthem collection. In addition, he will disclose the testimonies An's daughter, head of secretary office and independent activities left while alive, to support that An wrote the lyrics.

Hangyeore Arirang Association permanent director Kim Yeon-gap will speak about "10 evidences that Yun Chi-ho was the writer." He will cite Dongnip Shimnum's report that Yun wrote "Mugungwhaga" whose lyrics are the same with the national anthem's chorus part. Yun wrote "Mugungwhaga" for the celebrating ceremony of the anniversary of the establishment of Korea in 1897. He will also present news reported in Shihan Minbo U.S. edition in 1910, which the fourth version of national anthem was introduced as the people's song. Finally, he will stress that "Song in Praise for the U.S." released by Yun in 1908 contained "Mugungwhaga" similar to the lyrics of the national anthem.

"The two scholars have long researched into who the writer of the national anthem of Korea is," Seoul Theological University President Yoo Seok-seong said. "I hope this event makes advances in finding the writer that is the unfinished task by historians."

황금천기자 kchwang@donga.com