culture

Oungum is a musical instrument that Kim Jong Il proposed making during military camping in Oun-dong in August 1962 as he conducted revolutionary activities at Kim Il Sung University. He led the making of the instrument and named it.

It is a new national stringed instrument designed to preserve the inherent tone quality of Korean national instrument and suit the aesthetic tastes of the times. 

It is used for various forms of musical performance such as solo, ensemble, concert and singing to its accompaniment for its clear tone and rich expression.

Especially, performance of mixed orchestras involving this instrument expresses distinctive lyricism.