통일오작교 - Ojak Bridge of Reunification (Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble)

A song from DPRK about Korean reunification written in the late 90s. It is about the desire of the people to join forces and break down obstacles to reunification.

The "Ojak Bridge" (오작교 / 烏鵲橋) in this song refers to a bridge in the Chinese folk tale, The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎織女), which became popular across East Asia. In the Korean version it tells of the romance between a weaver girl called Jiknyeo (직녀; 織女), and a herder called Gyeonu (견우; 牽牛) in the celestial realm. Despite their love for each other, their romance was forbidden, and thus they were banished to opposite sides of the heavenly river (symbolizing the Milky Way). Once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, a flock of crows and magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for a day. So in this song, the folk tale of division and reunification is used as a symbol for the division of Korea and desire for its reunification.

As of 2024, this song is no longer performed in DPRK, due to changes in their policy on reunification.

Music: Ri Jong O (리종오)
Lyrics: Jon Jin (전진) 1998
Performed by: Jon Hye Yong, Ri Kyong Suk, Yun Hye Yong (전혜영, 리경숙, 윤혜영) of Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble (보천보전자악단)


하늘나라 견우직녀 기쁨속에 만난 다리
우리들도 이 땅우에 어서빨리 세웁시다
(후렴)

통일오작교 통일오작교
어기영차 힘을 합쳐 어서빨리 세웁시다

분단장벽 무엇이냐 한주먹에 깨버리고
온 겨레가 떨쳐나서 어서빨리 세웁시다
(후렴)
(간주)

대사:
남: 90년대 다 지나간다
녀: 쾅쾅 다그쳐라
남: 흥야라 붕야라 할새 없다
녀: 얼널러 상사디야
남: 방해군놈 나서라 백두산 호랑이 따웅
녀: 이 다리 세워놓고 금수산에 절하세
전체: 어허 어허허

정일봉에 우뢰친다 어서 힘껏 다그쳐서
김일성 우리 민족 하나되여 빛냅시다
(후렴)