Pledge of Allegiance (South Korea)
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of South Korea (Korean: 국기에 대한 맹세, literally "Vow about the national flag") is the pledge to the national flag of South Korea. The pledge is recited at flag ceremonies immediately before the South Korean national anthem.
History
The current pledge was introduced on July 27, 2007.[1] A previous pledge of allegiance was used from 1972 until 2007 and was introduced by then-president Park Chung-hee. Unlike the current pledge which pledges allegiance to the state of South Korea, the 1972 pledge rather pledged allegiance to the "Korean race", also known as the "minjok".[2][3][4][5][6]
In the mid-2000s, the pledging of allegiance to a "Korean race" or "Korean nation" was criticized by some people as being racist and "not appropriate at a time when South Korea is becoming a multi-racial and multicultural society."[7] This version of the pledge was discontinued in July 2007, during the presidency of Roh Moo-hyun,[8] and replaced with non-racist wording. Some left-wing South Koreans condemned the re-wording of the country's pledge of allegiance to non-racial phraseology.[9]
Similarly, until April 2011, South Korean army soldiers swore allegiance to the "Korean race" in their oaths of enlistment until that too was discontinued for similar reasons.[4]
Text of the pledge
1972 versionKorean language version나는 자랑스러운 태극기 앞에 조국과 민족의 무궁한 영광을 위하여 몸과 마음을 바쳐 충성을 다할 것을 굳게 다짐합니다. Korean language transliterationNaneun 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 translationI 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 people. [minjok].[2][4] Literal English translationI am firmly committed to fulfilling my allegiance by offering my body and mind for the endless glory of my fatherland and race before the proud South Korean flag. 2007 versionKorean language version (official version)나는 자랑스러운 태극기 앞에 자유롭고 정의로운 대한민국의 무궁한 영광을 위하여 충성을 다할 것을 굳게 다짐합니다. Korean language transliterationNaneun jarangseureoun Taegeukgi ape jayuropgo jeoneuiroun Daehanmingug ae mugunghan yeonggwangeul wihayeo chungseongeul dahal geoseul gutge dajimhamnida. Official English language translationI 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 translationI, standing before the noble Taegeuk flag, solemnly pledge allegiance to the Republic of Korea, to its glory, liberty and justice. Literal English translationI am firmly committed to my loyalty to the endless glory of a South Korea that is free and just in front of a proud South Korean flag. See alsoReferences
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