Remains of composer Yun I-sang return home from Germany

TONGYEONG, South Korea, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- The remains of Yun I-sang, a renowned Korea-born composer, were sent back to Yun's birthplace Sunday from Germany amid protests by some conservative activists here.

Born in 1917 in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Yun is well known for efforts to bridge the music of Europe and Asia as well as his experimental works featuring unique styles and sounds.

He spent most of his musical life in West Germany until he died in 1996 in Berlin. His body was buried there.

Yun was embroiled in a politically sensitive "East Berlin" spy incident, or Dongbaengnim case in Korean, in 1967.

South Korea's state intelligence agency, under Park Chung-hee's dictatorship, accused him of spying for North Korea, along with some other artists, intellectuals and students staying in Europe at that time.

But many people in South Korea have still recognized and respected his music. Tongyeong International Music Foundation, set up in 2014 in remembrance of the composer, sought to bring his remains to his hometown, which is scheduled to host the Tongyeong International Music Festival.

The annual event is to open on March 30 with the theme of “Returning Home.”
Yun's body was tentatively placed at a memorial park in Tongyeong after being handed over to his wife Lee Soo-ja, 91.

"I am very grateful to receive my husband's remains here," she said. "I am so pleased that I will have no regret even if I die now."

Around 50 members of a conservative civic group staged a rally in the city opposing the return of Yun's remains. They cited his alleged pro-Pyongyang activities.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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