The epic poem “Korea Fights” is one of the most famous poems created during the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).

The poem describes the cities and villages that have been destroyed by the barbaric atrocities of the US imperialists and highlights the spirit of the Korean people who are fighting against the aggressors in the face of all difficulties.

By giving a poetic narration of the heroic soldiers of the Korean People’s Army who die firing their last bullets at the enemy to defend their height, shedding their blood and shouting “Long live General Kim Il Sung !” and the civilians in the rear working day and night to assist the soldiers on the front, the work depicts their ardent love for their country and burning hatred for the enemy.

It calls on the honest people of the world to rise in the struggle against the American brutes who run amok to dominate the world and tells of the national pride and conviction in sure victory of the Korean people who fight heroically for global peace.

For its high ideological and artistic quality and historic significance, the poem has written a brilliant page in the literary history of the DPRK and the history of the Fatherland Liberation War.

To look back, the three-year war forced upon the Korean people by the US imperialists was indescribably grim and fierce.

The wrath-filled poem runs in part: Even the sun seemed to be burnt up in the belching black smoke and sparrows were gone by US bombing. The war has laid waste everything—dwelling houses, roadside trees, fields with well-matured crops waving in the breeze, and orchards covered with trees heavily laden with fruits.

But the poem does not only delineate the collapsed walls and uprooted trees; it also portrays the heroic struggle of the Korean people who unyieldingly fight for victory in the war and the spirit of sure victory pulsating in Korea.

That’s why the poet says: But the people are alive. They live and fight even in the fierce flames and smoldering smoke. Korea fights.

As it highly praises the heroic spirit and indomitable mettle of the fighting Korean people, the epic poem made an immediate sensation across the country soon after it was made public. Strong in militant appeal and rich in patriotic zeal, it powerfully inspired all the Korean people to turn out in the struggle for victory in the war.

Reciting the poem, the Korean people cherished more deeply boundless admiration for Comrade Kim Il Sung who had liberated their country on August 15, 1945 from the Japanese military rule and implanted indomitable mental strength in the ordinary workers, farmers and intellectuals, as well as the truth of history that victory was in store for them as long as they were led by him.

As such, the poem gives a vivid description of the unyielding fighting spirit and heroic struggle of the KPA soldiers who unhesitatingly dedicated their youth and lives to defend every inch of their country and the civilians who sped up wartime production at the risk of their lives with surging hatred for the US imperialists. Even now it is widely recited in the DPRK as an inspiration for eternal victory of the country.

Yang Ryon Hui