By Sohn JiAe
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in watched a performance by North Korea’s Samjiyon Orchestra in Seoul on Feb. 11. Next to the president were sitting Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the deputy director of North Korea's Workers’ Party’s Department of Propaganda and Agitation, and Kim Yong-nam, president of North Korea's Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

The Seoul show was the second that the North Korean troupe performed during its tour to Korea to celebrate the ongoing PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, following the first in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Feb. 8.

As North Korean songs, like “Nice to Meet You" (반갑습니다) and “The Song of Hope" (평화의 노래), and South Korean songs, like “To J” and “Cha Cha Cha Together,” were played, President Moon and the North Korean delegation reacted with big rounds of applause.

When the North Korean singers said to the audience, “We’ll see you again,” the president and the delegates rose from their seats and waved toward the performers in tokens of agreement.

The North’s nominal head of state, Kim Yong-nam, was seen wiping away tears with a handkerchief during the show.



There were collaborations between South and North Korean singers, too. Seohyun, a member of the popular South Korean pop group Girls’ Generation, joined the orchestra on the songs “Our Wish is Unification" (우리의 소원은 통일) and “Let’s Meet Again.” Leader of the musical squad Hyun Song-wol, too, appeared on stage and sang the finale with a song of hope for unification on the Korean Peninsula.

Prior to the show, President Moon had a brief meeting with the Pyongyang delegation.

“It’s priceless that we’ve met each other, in itself. This meeting has ignited a small spark, which I hope could turn into a full burning torch,” President Moon stressed. “I hope that both Koreas will join forces together to pull through all ordeals facing us.”

In response, Kim Yong-nam said, “We will return home with the hope that we’ll soon meet again, as during our time here, we’ve exchanged our thoughts with you and we believe this has paved the way for more dialogue and reunions in the days to come.”

The North Korean delegation wrapped up its three-day visit to the South after the show, and flew back home Sunday night from Incheon International Airport.

jiae5853@korea.kr