Mt Geumgang (Kumgang) (Korean: 금강산; RR: Geumgangsan; MR: Kŭmgangsan; lit. Diamond Mountain) or the Geumgang Mountains is a mountain massif, with a 1,638-metre-high (5,374 ft) peak, in Kangwon-do, North Korea. It is located on the east coast of the country, in Mt Geumgang Tourist Region, formerly part of Kangwŏn Province, and is part of the Taebaek mountain range which runs along the east of the Korean Peninsula. The mountain is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the South Korean city of Sokcho in Gangwon-do. Mt Geumgang is a famous mountain that boasts a spectacular view of the sea, and many artists have created works of art with the mountain as the theme. Therefore, many songs were composed with Mt. Geumgang as the main theme. Among them, “Nostalgic Mt. Geumgang” is one of the most loved songs by Koreans with its sorrowful melody with a Korean feel against the background of Korea’s tragic history of division of North and South Korea. The song was written by Han Sang-eok and composed by Choi Young-seop . It was included among the 11 songs of the cantata “Beautiful Naegangsan” (poetry by Han Sang-eok and composition by Choi Young-seop), which premiered in 1962. The KBS Symphony Orchestra recorded it for the first time and broadcast it on the radio on September 7, 1961, and the public performance took place at the National Theater on October 20, 1962. This showcases how certain cultural and natural landmarks transcend political boundaries and are shared parts of the cultural heritage.
