By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Composer Kim Dong-jin died of natural causes Friday. He was 96.
Kim was renowned for his classical songs such as ``I Want to Go'' (Gagopa), ``When Spring Comes,'' ``Daffodils'' and ``Magnolia.''
He also contributed to the popularization of pansori, Korean traditional narrative songs, by adapting them into the new Korean style operas.
The late composer received numerous orders and merits from the nation such as the Moran Medal and the Eungwan Order.
He was born in March, 1913 in Anju, South Pyeongan Province in North Korea and studied violin, piano and composition at Sungsil Middle School in Pyongyang, specializing in violin at a music school in Japan.
Kim moved to South Korea during the Korean War (1950-53) and then worked as a professor at Sorabol Arts College, now part of Chung-Ang University College of Arts and Kyung Hee University shortly after the war ended in 1953.
Kim is survived by two sons and a daughter. A memorial service is being held at Kyung Hee Hospital.