Like everything else in North Korea, it is hard to find precise information what vinyl records and possibly 78s (Standard Play Records) were issued there. What I do know is that a significant number of 10 inch Lps and even 7 inch singles/EPs exist on the state run Korean Gramophone Records label (see above). The genres range from patriotic military music to film music to jazz (such as by the Wangjaesan Light Music Band) to Opera (such as by the Mansudae Art Troupe) to the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble series of LPs and EPs that contains moog-synth and electronic guitar compositions amongst other styles. The Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble series goes up to at least Vol. 150 on CD, and there are at least 20 odd different 10 inch LPs and at least 3 different 7 inch EPs. I understand there have been no regular rock LPs to come out of North Korea.
The Korean Gramophone Record label seems in many ways similar to the famous state run Chinese Gramophone Record label (Chang Pian) (唱片) which released 12 inch LPs, 10 inch LPs and 7 inch EPs from the 1960s through until the 1980s. I used to have quite a lot of Cultural Revolution era ones – and the covers are very ‘glorious’. (examples of Chang Pian label records are pictured above). Incidently, the Chinese Chang Pian label has released at least one vinyl record (7 inch 33rpm EP) (front cover) (back cover) of North Korean music in 1964.
While its tempting to start collecting all the North Korean vinyl record releases, for the time being I’ll just be holding onto the odd ones here and there. As ridiculous as in may seem, it has crossed my mind to try to source North Korea records by actually going there and finding a way to ship them out. Although very problematic it may not be impossible, especially if they reopen the border to Kaesong once Lee Myung-bak goes (this text was typed Sep. 2012). The key to making it worthwhile would be finding some pre-1950 Korean and Chinese 78s there as well. I have corresponded with someone who worked in North Korea (Pyongyang) for 2 years in 2010/2011 who outlined the difficulties of finding and purchasing vintage items such as records there. And it is true that most of the North Korean vinyl records in circulation now came via Eastern Europe which seemed to have some kind distribution system for these records going with North Korea, back in the day. We shall see if anything eventuates on this front.
Something I’m interested to know is the reason why North Korean pressing vinyl records have English language text? Is this related to them possibly being exported out of North Korea to Eastern Europe and English being a catch-all language.
Above are pictures of a copy of one of the North Korean Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble 7 inch EPs (one that I picked up recently). Link to this 45 on the 45Cat discography site.
One last question only for true sages of the record collecting universe to attempt … below is a pic (thumbnail) of a (North Korean) Korean Gramophone Records 10 inch LP complete with matrix (bottom left of label). It seems to be a quite complex matrix configuration leading me to ponder if North Korean records may have been actually pressed in Beijing. Perhaps comparing a Chang Pian matrix to a KGR one may provide an indication. Unfortunately, I don’t have any CP records at hand myself at the moment.
Korean vinyl records - 한국 레코드판 
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fantastic post!
so do you mind me asking, how much would a 1957 Chinese 78 in its original cover of classical Beijing opera be worth?
To be honest, I’m not really sure. It would depend on the artist/tracks/label/condition etc and who was selling it. The early Pathe 78s sometime sell in the high 100s and low 1000’s, espeically #35645 Zhou Xuan Nightlife in Shanghai, but the prices on other individual Chinese 78s are really outside my knowledge. The best idea would be to google chinese 78 and the catalogue number and see what comes up in English. cheers, Mic
Very nice and interesting blog here, and only one of a few which has some profound informations about north korean vinyl records.
As a record collector, who’s into exotic stuff, and because I’m travelling to China and the DPRK this year, I’m very interested if it is possible to get north korean vinyl records there. Does anybody know more about the options I will have there?
Greetz, KM
Hi Mic. Shane from Melbourne.
Any idea about price of N.K. records ?
I see from reading here some may be pressings from the old ” eastern bloc ” but keen
to hear your view.
Marie has contacted you from Germany and sent me some pics.
Ta mate