Zheng Lücheng

Zheng Lücheng or Chong Ryul-song (, 27 August 1914 – 7 December 1976) was a Korean-born Chinese composer of Korean ethnicity. He is most notable for having composed the music to the Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army, to words by Gong Mu (公木; real name: Zhang Yongnian; ).

Early life
Zheng was born Cheong Bu-eun (정부은, 鄭富恩) in the South Jeolla Province of what is now South Korea in either 1914 or 1918. Official records show his year of birth at 1918, but it is believed he may have concealed his age to maintain cover as an agent in Nanjing.

In 1933, Zheng moved to Nanjing, China, where he became associated with the Korean-Chinese anti-Japanese invasion movement and then with the communists.

Career
In 1937, in Yan'an, Zheng composed the song which was to become the military anthem of the People's Liberation Army.

In 1945, Zheng returned to Korea or, precisely, North Korea, where he worked as chief of the North Korean army's band and taught music at Pyongyang University. Zheng wrote the anthem of the Korean People's Army, Tumen River, East Sea Fisherman and other songs. After the outbreak of the Korean War, Zheng returned to China, where he composed many works, including a Chinese-language, Western-style opera, Cloud Gazing based on a story of the Bai people.

Personal life
Zheng's wife was China's first female ambassador, Ding Xuesong.

In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, Zhou Enlai—having been petitioned by Zheng's Chinese wife, Ding Xuesong—personally wrote to Kim Il Sung requesting that Zheng return to China for work. Kim agreed; in 1950, Zheng obtained Chinese nationality.