South Korea is seeing renewed interest in its historical independence songs, particularly “Doklipgunka” (Independence Army Song) and “Apnokgang Haengjinchok” (March of the Amnok River), with both tracks actively promoted for inclusion in military training programs. The increased emphasis reflects a broader, though currently limited, effort to acknowledge the musical heritage of the Korean independence movement.
Although “Doklipgunka” and “Apnokgang Haengjinchok” enjoy a prominent position within the South Korean military, enjoying inclusion in training songbooks, other songs composed and sung by independence fighters during the Japanese colonial period have not received the same level of recognition. According to data from February 28, 2026, the current state of affairs sees the two aforementioned songs functioning as de facto military anthems, while others remain largely unstudied and unmanaged by the state.
“Doklipgunka,” whose lyrics include the lines “Shindaehanguk doklipgunui baekman yongsaya” (Oh, a million brave soldiers of the New Korea Independence Army) and “Jojegui bureusimeul nega aneunya” (Do you grasp the call of the homeland?), served as a rallying cry for Korean independence fighters. The song’s lyrics call upon citizens to fight for liberation, questioning any hesitation in the face of enemy strength and proclaiming the inevitability of victory for the righteous. A version of the lyrics, as recorded on November 23, 2014, states, “Shall we be afraid because the enemy is strong? Shall we be discouraged because we are weak? Where the blade of righteous justice flashes, there we shall conquer.”
The song’s chorus, “Naga, naga ssareo naga” (Go, go, go fight, go), encapsulates the spirit of resistance. Lyrics further express a commitment to the cause, stating that those who survive will turn into soldiers of independence, and those who die will become spirits of independence. The song urges listeners to cross the Amnok and Duman rivers, sweep away the enemy, and celebrate the restoration of their homeland.
The current situation, as outlined by the Namu Wiki, highlights a discrepancy in how the South Korean government manages its musical heritage. While the two most prominent independence songs are actively promoted, the broader catalog of songs from the independence movement remains largely unmanaged and under-researched. This disparity raises questions about the prioritization of certain narratives within the national historical consciousness.
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