Hwang Jin Young, the deputy director of North Korea’s Moranbong Band, has passed away and was buried in Sinmi-ri Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery, the Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Monday.
The newspaper stated, “A farewell ceremony for Comrade Hwang Jin Young, a recipient of the Kim Il Sung Prize, a Hero of Labor, and a People’s Artist, was held on Sunday at Sinmi-ri Patriotic Martyrs’ Cemetery.”
The paper praised Hwang Jin Young, saying, “Over nearly 40 years, he composed hundreds of songs celebrating the Party, our socialist system, and the spirit of the times, turning them into national treasures and making significant contributions to the development and blossoming of Juche music and art.”
Hwang served in various North Korean art organizations, including the Film and Broadcast Music Group and the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble, before becoming the deputy director of the Moranbong Band, known as the North Korean version of a girl group. He also composed songs praising the sole leadership system of Kim Jong Un. In 2014, he was awarded the title of Hero of Labor, an honorary designation given to citizens who make significant contributions to fields such as the economy, culture, and construction.
The farewell ceremony was attended by officials from the cultural and arts sector, including Ju Chang Il, a department head of the Workers’ Party, and Jang Ryong Shik, a deputy department head. Kim Jong Un also sent a wreath to Hwang’s grave.