Zheng Lücheng

Zheng Lücheng (Chinese 郑律成, Korean 정률성, Kwangju; 13 August 1918 – 7 December 1976) was a Korea-born Chinese composer. He is most notable for having composed the music to the Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army, to words by Gong Mu (公木; real name: Zhang Yongnian; Chinese: 张永年).

Early life

Zheng was born Cheong Buk'un (郑富恩) in the South Jeolla Province of what is now South Korea in either 1914 or 1918. Official records show his year of birth at 1918, but it is believed he may have concealed his age to maintain cover as an agent in Nanjing.

In 1933, Zheng moved to Nanjing in China, where he became associated with the Chinese Korean anti-Japanese movement and then with the communists.

Career

In 1937, in Yan'an, Zheng composed the song which was to become the military anthem of the People's Liberation Army.

In 1945, Zheng returned to Korea or, precisely, North Korea, where he worked as chief of the North Korean army's band and taught music at Pyongyang University. Zheng wrote the anthem of the North Korean Army, Tumen River, East Sea Fisherman and other songs.

Works

He composed many works including a Chinese-language western-style opera, Cloud Gazing based on a story of the Bai people.

Personal life

Zheng's wife was China's first woman ambassador, Ding Xuesong.

In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, Zhou Enlai — having been petitioned by Zheng's Chinese wife, Ding Xuesong — personally wrote to Kim Il Sung requesting that Zheng return to work in China. Kim agreed; and, in 1950, Zheng took Chinese nationality.