S. Korea's top maestro hopes for cultural breakthrough in inter-Korean relations By Shin Hae-in

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) - Spending most of his life in concert halls and orchestra rooms, South Korean maestro Chung Myung-whun says he doesn't know much about politics. What he does know, however, is that music can inspire and soothe people, especially those in impoverished countries like North Korea.

The world-renowned musician's dream of holding a concert in Pyongyang failed to
materialize in 2006, when the communist state conducted an unexpected nuclear
test. Prospects aren't much brighter now, as North Korea has restricted passages
across the shared border and refuses to resume dialogue.
But there is still hope, Chung says, "because we are brothers."
"(Performing in Pyongyang) has been on my mind for 20, 30 years now," Chung, head
of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, told a press gathering Wednesday. "I was
disappointed (in 2006), but I don't think the failures will mean much in the long
run. What matters is our continuing effort."
In early October 2006, when the two Koreas were on relatively friendly terms,
Chung was invited to participate as a conductor in Pyongyang in the finale of the
Isang Yun World Peace concert commemorating the 89th birthday of the late Korean
composer.
After Pyongyang's nuclear test later that month, the plan dissolved.
Inter-Korean ties have been tumbling downhill since February last year, when
conservative President Lee Myung-bak took office in Seoul. That month, the New
York Philharmonic gave its first performance in Pyongyang to the great envy of
many South Korean musicians, including Chung.
Chung said it was disappointing that he did not get to perform as well in the
North, "but music is always better than no music."
"For that reason, I was glad North Koreans got to hear the New York
Philharmonic's performance," he said.
Chung, 56, is a Korean-born maestro who has conducted prominent European and
American orchestras since his debut in 1986 at the Metropolitan Opera in New
York. He also serves as the music director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de
Radio France.
Having recently signed a contract with the Seoul Philharmonic for another three
years, Chung said his orchestra will work on "giving hope to people" this year.
The conductor, who hopes to perform Beethoven Symphony No. 9 D Minor Op. 125
"Choral" in North Korea one day, said musicians have the obligation to heal
people's hearts.
"We have a heavier obligation than others because we have Beethoven," he said.
Chung has scheduled nine concerts and four charity performances in 2009. He is
planning to take the Seoul Philharmonic on its first Europe tour in August.
hayney@yna.co.kr