The family of the late Ahn Eak-tai, composer of the Korean national anthem, gave the song's copyright to the people of Korea at a meeting held at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Seoul on Wednesday (March 16).

Ahn's Spanish-born wife Lolita Ahn, his daughter Leonor and grandson Miguel presented a certificate of the copyright transfer to Culture and Tourism Minister Chong Dong-chea, saying that they convey the copyright of the song to the Korean people.

“I am greatly honored to present 'Aegukga (Korean national anthem)' to the country so loved by the late composer, along with my sincerest wishes that the anthem will be remembered and sung forever through the hearts of the Korean people,” read the certificate written by Lolita Ahn. Minister Chong gave a plaque of appreciation to the family in return, which read: “This plaque presents the sincere gratitude of the Korean people and our wishes that the strong emotions and hopes of the Korean National Anthem will always be with us.”

Lolita Ahn, 89, said that her family were very touched and glad to find out that Ahn is still very much alive in the minds of the Korean people. “Korea's national anthem is made for Koreans. So we would like to give back to the people the rights to the song without any conditions,” Ahn said with a smile.

The transfer of the anthem's copyright follows a recent call from the public that the government should not be paying royalties to use the country's national anthem and should buy the rights to the song.

Chung also announced at the meeting that it is highly likely to recognize the late composer Ahn as a person of merit who contributed to the nation's independence.

“Government agencies are going to positively consider granting Ahn the status of an independence fighter, as the bereaved family has been wishing for,” he said.

Chung said the ministry is also considering establishing an exhibition hall for Ahn's personal possessions in the National Museum of Korea, scheduled to open in Yongsan, Seoul, this October. In addition, it may name a music hall of the Korean National University of Arts after the late Ahn, he said.

“We will discuss with Ahn's family how to move his belongings from Spain to the museum,” Chung said.

The Ahn family members were named goodwill ambassadors for Gyeonggi Province during their eight-day trip to Korea at the invitation of the provincial tourism organization.

“Aegukga” was officially promulgated as national anthem of the Republic of Korea in 1948. The writer of the lyrics to the tune remains unknown.

Ahn's Spanish wife has had the copyright to the anthem after the composer died in Spain in 1965.

The family has been receiving roughly $5,600 a year from the Korea Music Copyright Association for playing the anthem before major sports events and during broadcasts.