"Arirang" has been well-known to the world as a typical folk song of the Korean nation.

In this regard, Ro Chol Su, deputy director of the National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, told KCNA:

The news raises the Koreans' national pride and self-confidence.

Folk song "Arirang" has long been popular among Koreans belonging to different ages and social systems.

The song, created on the basis of romance at the beginning, had developed to suit sentiments of inhabitants in different parts of the country, truthfully reflecting their desire to lead a happy life in a peaceful land. This fact is well illustrated by such many songs as "Sodo Arirang", "Haeju Arirang", "Tanchon Arirang", "Arirang of Kangwon Province" and "Jonchon Arirang", widely sung in different regions.

Noting that the DPRK has worked hard to register the nation's intangible cultural heritages as world heritages in recent years, Ro declared that the national authority would intensify exchange with relevant international bodies and other countries.