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The family of the composer of Korea¡¯s national anthem Ahn Eaktai recently gave up the copyright to the anthem because its remaining with the family was harming the very national unity the anthem was written to strengthen, the composer's widow told the Chosun Ilbo. Lolita Ahn said her heart broke when she heard that squabbles were breaking out in Korea over the copyright.
Why did you decide to give up the copyright to the national anthem?
My heart broke when I heard that a controversy over the copyright to the anthem broke out in January. My husband only wanted Korea's independence when he wrote the anthem during Japan¡¯s colonial rule. But now the copyright issue has created conflict among Korean people, and that goes against my husband¡¯s intention.
Did everyone in your family agree to the transfer?
Some family members opposed the transfer at first, saying people pay for popular songs and therefore it is natural for the Korean government to pay royalties for the anthem. But they finally agreed to the transfer; I persuaded them by recalling my husband¡¯s love for Korea. Every member of my family gave their consent to the decision.
You wept singing the anthem along with Korean children.
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Ahn Eaktai's widow Lolita Ahn weeps as elementary school students sing the Korean national anthem composed by her late husband. A small musical recital was held for Lolita Ahn and her party at a school in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Tuesday.
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This may be my last visit to Korea because I¡¯m 90 years old. I¡¯m going to go to my husband. Hearing the anthem sung by Korean children was really unusual for me.
What kind of man was Ahn Eaktai?
Whenever conducting orchestras worldwide, which he did some 232 times, he always said that he must play the national anthem at the end of the concert. I will visit the National Cemetery on Mar.19 and tell him, ¡°I have finally realized your wish.¡± My last wish is to see Korea recognize him as an independence activist and honor him accordingly.
(Kim Seong-hyun, danpa@chosun.com )
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