A tradition of appropriation of culture for political gain: Music in Korea

Although appropriation of music by political organizations and individuals is a practice in no way unique to Korea, analysis of the phenomenon on the peninsula provides valuable insight its strength in real-world political arenas. This project provides an analysis of the appropriation of music for political means in Korea, including discussion of the historical roots that infuse music in Korea with intrinsic political value, the use of appropriated music in the development of nationalist consciousness during the period of occupation by the Empire of Japan from 1910 to 1945, and the continued practice of appropriation of music in the modern Republic of Korea (South) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North). Appropriation of music by various political entities on the Korean peninsula mirrors the development of nationalism in that area. As the international community placed increasing value on the importance of nationalism, Korean nationalists and politicians used the rhetoric of shared traditions and ethnicity as a means of creating a politically charged public. Music was, and remains to this day, an important catalyst for nationalist rhetoric among the largely homogenous Korean citizenry. Music also plays an often overlooked, but invaluable role in understanding modern political incentives and devices in the divided Koreas. However, in order to fully comprehend the meaning of appropriated music today, one must understand the context from which the phenomena emerged. This project attempts to provide that context, and to acilitate further discussion on the use of appropriated music as a political tool.