Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of South Korea

The South Korean flag, also known as the Taegeukgi (literally "Taeguk flag").

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of South Korea (Korean: 국기에 대한 맹세, Pledge of allegiance to the Korean flag) is the pledge to the national flag of South Korea. The pledge is recited at flag ceremonies immediately before the national anthem.

History

The current pledge was introduced on July 27, 2007.[1] A previous pledge of allegiance was used from 1972 until 2007, introduced by then-president Park Chung-hee. Unlike the current pledge which pledges allegiance of the country of South Korea, the 1972 pledge rather pledged allegiance to the "Korean race", also known as the "minjok".[2][3][4]

In the mid-2000s, the pledging of allegiance to a "Korean race" was criticized by some South Koreans as being racist and "not appropriate at a time when South Korea is become a multi-racial society."[5] This version of the pledge was discontinued in July 2007. Similarly, until April 2011, South Korean soldiers swore allegiance to the "Korean race" in their oaths of enlistment.[4]

Text of the pledge

1972 version

Korean language version

나는 자랑스런 태극기 앞에 조국과 민족의 무궁한 영광을 위하여 몸과 마음을 바쳐 충성을 다할 것을 굳게 다짐합니다.

Korean language transliteration

Naneun jalangseuleon taegeuggi ap-e joguggwa minjog-ui mugunghan yeong-gwang-eul wihayeo momgwa ma-eum-eul bachyeo chungseong-eul dahal geos-eul gudge dajimhabnida.

English translation

I strongly pledge, in front of the proud South Korean flag, allegiance to my fatherland, to devote my body and soul to the eternal glory of the race.[2][4][3]

Alternate English translation (with notations)

I firmly pledge, proudly in front of the South Korean flag [Taegukgi], to loyally devote our body and soul to the eternal glory of the fatherland [joguk] and the race [minjok].[2][4][3]

2007 version

Korean language version (official version)

나는 자랑스러운 태극기 앞에 자유롭고 정의로운 대한민국의 무궁한 영광을 위하여 충성을 다할 것을 굳게 다짐합니다.

Korean language transliteration

Naneun jarangseureoun Taegeukgi ape jayuropgo jeoneuiroun Daehanmingug ae mugunghan yeonggwangeul wihayeo chungseongeul dahal geoseul gutge dajimhamnida.

Official English language translation

I pledge, in front of proud Taegeuk flag, allegiance to the Republic of Korea for the eternal glory of the country, liberty and justice.

Alternate English language translation

I, standing before the noble Taegeuk flag, solemnly pledge allegiance to the Republic of Korea, to its glory, liberty and justice.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Moon, Gwang-lip (July 9, 2007). "Pledge of allegiance is revised yet still resisted". Joong-ang Daily. South Korea. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Kelly, Robert E. (June 4, 2015). "Why South Korea is So Obsessed with Japan". Real Clear Defense. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Myers, Brian Reynolds (September 14, 2010). "South Korea: The Unloved Republic?". Archived from the original on May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "New Pledge of Allegiance to Reflect Growing Multiculturalism". The Chosun Ilbo. South Korea. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011. The military has decided to omit the word 'minjok,' which refers to the Korean race, from the oath of enlistment for officers and soldiers, and replace it with 'the citizen.' The measure reflects the growing number of foreigners who gain Korean citizenship and of children from mixed marriages entering military service.
  5. ↑ Jeong, Jeong-hun (2006). "A pledge to a nation, or a gang oath?". The Hankyoreh. South Korea: The Hankyoreh Media Company. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.

External links

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